A TRUE TEST OF LOYALTY Our attention has been called to a certain member of our Exchange that made one of the most costly mistakes that has been made since our Exchange was organized. He had taken a prominent place and stood high in the esteem and thoughts of his fellow beekeepers, but the blunder was made and he was cast aside. Did the man holler? He did not. He quietly withdrew, forgot his personal grievances and swallowed his chagrin and is now working for the Exchange, quietly, the same as any member can do. He boosts at every opportunity he can find and stands loyally by his SecretaryManager and the Directors of his Local and is doing everything possible that is asked of him. Every time we think of that man we want to take off our hats to him. With such men as he in our ranks the Exchange can not die. Just as an expert can tell a man's character by his handwriting, so can an inspector of honey judge a beekeeper by the way his honey is prepared and put up for the market. BRAND CONTEST The brand contest was decided by our Board of Directors at its last meeting, January 13th. "Sunni-Hunni" was selected by them from about 200 names submitted, and the winner, Mr. Arthur E. King, has been sent a reward of $25.00 by the order of our Board of Directors. Let the bees, bears and bathing girls hibernate for the winter but keep your own wits to work preparing for a larger crop next year and a big addition to the membership of the Honey Producers' Exchange. DADANT'S FOUNDATION The State Exchange office has had a great many inquiries for Dadant's foundation, so we induced one of our members to ship 1500 pounds of his wax back to Dadant to be rolled into foundation. We have now received this wax which has been rolled into medium brood foundation, Langstroth size, and packed in 50pound boxes. We can offer it at 75 cents per pound, F. O. B. Los Angeles, in 50 and 100-pound lots. Those of our members who are interested in giving Dadant's foundation a trial should place their or ders at once, as we do not anticipate having this small amount on hand very long. Did you ever measure up the man who If spoke slightingly of his Exchange? not, why not next time, and try to find out his reason? Perhaps he has been misinformed. Then it is your duty to point out the error, at the same time inviting him into our ranks. Oftentimes the man whom you think is the greatest knocker is just ready to come into the fold and is merely trying to convince himself that he has been doing the right thing in not joining his fellow beekeepers before. While it would be a great day for our Exchange if the beekeepers, 100 per 'cent strong, were lined up back of it, this probably will never be. There are some beekeepers who ought to be with us. They are men of character and ability whom we need and who have not joined for various reasons. There are a few, however, whom the Exchange does not want. If some, from selfish reasons, are not willing to throw in their honey with ours and are too selfish to bear their share of the expenses and are not willing to stand by and live up to our bylaws and contracts, then the Exchange does not want them. The Exchange believes, however, that there are but a few beekeepers in this class and that all loyal members should do their utmost to convince the few remaining outside of the fold of the necessity of their joining with us, pointing out the great good that will come from every beekeeper working in harmony and for the same ultimate purposes together. "The maximum amount of any product can be sold only by maintaining healthy, steady market conditions, so that every dealer makes money on his purchases." -C. C. Teague in "Diamond Brand News." Published by California Honey Producers' Co-operative Exchange Vol. 1 Los Angeles, California, February 25, 1920 No. 4 Exploding False Rumors Circulated by the Enemy I N some mysterious manner, report has gained circulation that from 15% to 20% of the beekeepers' money has been spent to sell their honey. This charge, on the face of it, is ridiculous. Even if it were true some of our stalwart friends are inclined to believe that it I would have been more than worth while if that money had been honestly spent and had gone toward erecting a Gibraltar of Strength as a selling organization. However, nothing of this kind is claimed. Nevertheless, there is not a business man in the country who will not state that the expenditure of $27,148.00 is more than reasonable for any organization in the selling of approximately three-quarters of a million dollars worth of goods. Any banker will tell you that this is not only a reasonable expenditure for that amount of sales, but that for an infant organization, it is an achievement. And any economist will tell you that for the largest organization of Beekeepers in the world to do this in the first year of actual operation proves conclusively that that organization can make of itself a complete success. We print herewith a complete and full statement of the condition of the California Honey Producers' Co-operative Exchange. It will be seen that the actual cost of selling your honey for 1919, including an estimate of the small balance of honey on hand, is under 34% at this date. "Figures do not lie," but circulated reports must have come from those who have been opposed to the success of our glorious movement. The expenses of the different locals vary appreciably, most of them running from 2% to 4% additional, and while the State Exchange has, from time to time, recommended policies to be followed by the Local Exchanges in connection with their expense requirements and the manner in which their business is transacted, yet, of course, you will understand that the Board of Directors of each Local Exchange alone has the right to determine just how its proportion of the Local Exchange charge shall be used. HONEY PRODUCERS' CO-OPERATOR Published Monthly by the California Honey Producers' Co-operative Exchange 318 Investment Building, Los Angeles, Calif. Phone-Broadway 6621 CHAS. B. JUSTICE.. J. D. BIXBY, SR.. Managing Editor Why the February H the manager is able to tell the members personally about the manifold problems confronting the home office. We know that in the Southern part of the state where the manager has been permitted to meet with the members at their meetings, a splendid spirit of cooperation has prevailed. The manager is not politically ambitious and is inter Co-operator is Late ested only in putting this exchange firmly OW best to serve the interests of the entire Exchange is the thought always uppermost in conducting the business of the home office; and during the month of February it seemed best to concentrate every effort on the vital work of selling the honey then on hand. To accomplish this under the trying conditions then prevailing required so much time and labor that other things-including the February Co-operator-had to be slighted for the time being. Now the management is glad to announce that the situation has cleared to such an extent that the Co-operator will not only be issued regularly, but will be improved-always with the idea of making it more valuable than ever to all members, by keeping them informed of everything of importance that happens and by helping them solve their individual problems. Let us repeat here our invitation to all honey producers to make use of the columns of the Co-operator in clearing up difficulties as well as aiding cthers by your own experiences and successes. Was It Wise? Many months ago some of our officials took steps which prevented the State Exchange Manager from attending the local meetings. While this was doubtless done with the best intentions, we believe it was a mistake, for it removed the only opportunity the Manager has of explaining the Exchange work and the "reasons why" for everything he has done. It also prevented the Manager from gaining firsthand information of local conditions, getting more thoroughly the view-point of local inembers and answering their diffOthers erent questions. can answer them, but the members really like to get information at first-hand and they are entitled to it, so that we believe this was a mistake and one which should be cor rected When the personal contact is lacking. misunderstandings often arise which might easily be avoided and satisfactorily explained by someone fully in touch with the situation at the home office. A large number of members have expressed themselves as heartily in favor of the closer understanding which usually comes when on its feet, after which he will be perfectly willing to turn it over to others, so that there would seem no reason or excuse for dissociating the manager from the entire membership. T Merchandising HE merchandising of the 1919 crop has moved along with alacrity and we can, at this time, report that a mere half dozen cars of the season's crop remains on hand on the coast. A few cars are in transit or in the hands of our eastern connections. Sales to date have reached a total of 105 carloads of a total production of 122 cars, and in view of the present weakened condition of the market, it is generally agreed that the merchandising policy of the manager has been indisputably the best in the interests of all concerned. It has been his endeavor to sell the Exchange's products in as large quantities, and as steadily as possible, at all times. Results show the wisdom of this program. Every conceivable effort is being made at the present time to dispose of the remainder of the crop. When this is accomplished, it will be possible to close all pools and rush financial accountings to all members. Some of the cther associations find themselves in far less fortunate circumstances than our own. One, in particular, has produced something in the neighborhood of 35 cars, and has fully 60% of its crop still on hand. Many other Western States are holding a large portion of their output. Our California organization has made an excellent showing during this the first year of operation. This fact only presages a better and more complete success for the coming season. A most extensive system of representatives has been established throughout the east. We thus have unlimited entree to of the all of the principal markets country. This arrangement has been accomplished only after devoting much time and effort to the problem. The ends, however, are worthy of the means, as the representatives are ambitious to serve us loyally and uninterruptedly. They will prove of great value to us in the merchandsing of our products. BEE LINES By J. D. BIXBY This Exchange is not overlooking the apicultural possibilities of the northern third of our state. Within 10 years it will produce more honey annually than Southern California ever dreamed of. Already the section of the state "north of the Tehachapi" produces the greatest tonnage while the numerous irrigation projects in the northern counties are rapidly increasing the honey producing area. A wonderfully productive country is being opened up to new settlers. five northern counties comprise oneeighth the entire area of the state, and have a population of only 60,000 people. The The orange blossom honey-flower is almost upon us, now, in Southern California. Do your best to have the bees ready for it. Keep them heavily supplied with honey or sugar syrup, for they know better than you do when their reserve supply reaches the danger point and will restrict brood-rearing accordingly. "Millions of honey at our house" is the secret of uninterrupted brood-rearing. Lucky man, if you have plenty of "bluegum" range. I expect to hear of some good surplus yields of eucalyptus honey, this season. Don't "equalize" brood by taking from the strong to build up the weak: reverse the process. Take brood from the weakest ones until the stronger ones are built to a point where they are sure to be in full strength when the main flower comes on. The weak colonies from which you have built up the strong ones can be treated as nuclei and built up to full strength in time to give some surplus, by adding brood-combs from the first swarms. Hive these swarms on the old stand and brush all the hatched bees from the combs into them. Good idea to have some nuclei prepared to treat the same way, as soon as you can get the queens. They will make the very best of workers on the sage or beans. Good time now to double up two or three weak colonies into a big strong one. A big colony that will store a hundred pounds is twice as profitable as three weak ones that put up only fifty pounds between them. The weak ones require three times as much labor and equipment as the strong ones. Use the two spare queens from the united colonies to form one frame nuclei, to use as described above. A few colon ies are bound to swarm, and these nuclei soon are profit makers. Queer idea of co-operation, some of you fellows have! You send in honey in old used cans, or full of "specks" from poor straining or no skimming and then "holler" because your charges for "reconditioning" are So great. It costs money in time and labor to liquify and strain into new cans your inferior product, which you seem to think ought to be "pro-rated" among us all. You are rapidly driving us into having all our honey delivered in steel drums to the central warehouses, there to be graded and blended. Come to think of it, is there any other way we can keep up the grade? Might it not be a good thing? J. D. B. Salt Lake City Meeting A N IMPORTANT meeting was held recently in Salt Lake City, with committees present from the California Honey Exchange, the Idaho-Oregon and the Colorado Exchanges. Action was taken for closer co-operation. Plans were cutlined for the dissemination of crop reForts, statistics and marketing information. Through the periodical distribution of information of this description, it will be possible to guide accurately the future operations of all exchanges-to entirely avert ruinous and useless carryovers. Had the California Exchange been in a position to know the quantities of honey produced in the different competing localities during the season just past, it would have been much easier to cope with the various angles of the marketing problem. Had we known the quality of the output from other sections, and the prices quoted, we could have taken the fullest advantage of every situation as it arose. The adoption of a system furnishing these very necessary details means larger net returns to our members and the timely disposal of our crop. In addition to the above accomplishments, the Salt Lake meeting was direct'v responsible for the organizing of the Utah beekeepers. In itself, this constitutes an important step in the progress of our work. It eliminates an undesirable source of unorganized competition and effects a wider co-operation in the industry. Enthusiasm Marks Meet the meeting was the ordering of cars and ing of Orange County THAT co-operative marketing associa tions are rendering patriotic service to the nation by keeping prices to the consumers within reasonable bounds, while at the same time stimulating production and helping farmers and other producers to secure reasonable returns, was brought out at the annual meeting of the Orange County Honey Producers' Co-operative Exchange, which was held recently in the Santa Ana Court House. Convincing facts were presented show cases for this year's honey crop. It was decided, as a measure of economy, to order a carload of cases in shook form, to be stored in Santa Ana and made up when needed. A considerable saving in freight will thus be effected. C. G. Standiford of Los Angeles, assistant to Manager Justice, was called upon and spoke on the necessity of loyalty and unified action on the part of all members. At the close of the meeting an instructive talk on the value of advertising was given by A. J. Olsen, manager of the L. S. Gillham Advertising Company of Los Angeles. ing that the increases in the prices of Col. Weinstock's Retirement foods marketed through co-operative associations have been very small, while enormous advances have been made in the prices of other commodities which are sold under circumstances permitting of speculation and kindred evils. The meeting was exceptionally well attended and was live and absorbing from start to finish. Considerable interest was manifested in an address made by Chas. B. Justice, manager of the California Honey Producers Co-operative Exchange, who, together with two other representatives from the home staff, C. G. Standiford and A. J. Olsen, drove from Los Angeles especially to attend the meeting. Mr. Justice explained in detail the many problems that confront the management and showed that all these problems had been met in the best way that could be expected. While the period just passed through has been critical the outcome has been extremely favorable, and there is every reason to be optimistic for the future. One of the most important points brought out in Manager Justice's talk was a convincing refutation of the current but wholly unfounded rumor of high expenses in the administration of the exchange, and this led to expressions of satisfaction from those present. It was clear, by the attitude shown, that the members of the Orange County Local support Manager Justice, and that they intend to stand back of him in carrying out his duties as general manager. This spirit was further demonstrated by the unanimous election of George J. Brown and Wayland H. Crawford, delegates to the meeting of the California Honey Producers Co-operative Exchange, held March 29th. These two men are both able business men who are thoroughly in accord with the policies of the present management of the exchange. Another important matter taken up at Distinct Loss to Honey The Honey Producers' Exchange suffers a severe loss in the retirement of Colonel Harris Weinstock from the position of Market Director. During his activities for the public welfare of the State, he has at all times proved a true friend and an able adviser. He has been the moving and guiding spirit in the organization of our Exchange. Colonel Weinstock has been untiring in his efforts to better the marketing conditions in the State. He has at all times supported the economic superiority of collective dealing-co-operative methods. He has accomplished much during his term of office that will be more fully appreciated in the years to come. Gilbert B. Daniels is the man who succeeded Colonel Weinstock as state mar ket director and to the office the new director brings a wealth of practical experience and understanding of the needs of the producer. A recent interview printed in the Pacific Rural Press contains some quoted sentiments of Mr. Daniels in regard to producers' organizations. A few excerpts follow: "I believe that unless farmers have permanent, regular and profitable markets, production cannot continue adequately to supply the demands of consumers at livable prices. I believe that the only way to provide such markets is through organization of producers; and it will be one aim of this office to continue the aid heretofore given toward such organization. I recognize a particular advantage to consumers in the fact that all producers' organizations not only stabilize the markets to a profitable basis, but also greatly stimulate production." |