THE HONEY BEE 



INTRODUCTION 



The honey bee may well be counted as a friend of the human 

 race, since besides furnishing large quantities of the most health- 

 ful sweet known, the commercial importance of which at this day 

 is by no means insignificant, it is also of great value as a fertil- 

 izing agent to many of the crops produced by the farmer and 

 horticulturist, obtaining results which could not otherwise be 

 secured. 



Beekeeping on a commercial scale is far from being a royal 

 road to wealth as pictured by some, but requires as much labor, 

 diligence and attention to details as many other lines of business. 

 However, the thorough going apiarist, well adapted and educated 

 to the business, given a good location and a favorable season, 

 usually has no complaint to offer. As along other agricultural 

 lines, weather conditions often exert an adverse influence and 

 poor seasons intervene, which necessitate extra care, fortitude and 

 enthusiasm on the part of the beekeeper, to safely bridge them 

 over. 



In a small way, beekeeping is quite popular as a recreation for 

 persons of sedentary habits, also as a light employment for in- 

 valids, giving healthful open air exercise ; at the same time 

 affording mental relief. 



The Empire State ranks high in the production of surplus 

 honey and numbers its beekeeping specialists by the hundred. Its 

 honey yielding flora is extensive and diversified. 



The apiary inspectors of this department have for years given 

 information and instruction on beekeeping to those desiring it — 

 especially amateurs — and the object of this bulletin is to sup- 

 plement such instruction with matter in suitable form for ready 

 reference. Only such equipments as are admissible in the best 

 modern apiary of the specialist are shown and recommended. 

 These the beginner would do well to adopt at the start, so far as 

 his necessities demand. 



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