150 BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. [Jan., 



relaxation from the continued grind of farm duties. You will 

 find it to be pleasure, industry, and profit combined in a remark- 

 able degree. There are many reasons why this is so neglected, 

 one of which is owing to the number of failures, caused through 

 ignorance of the first principles. Apiculture can be abused and 

 neglected, probably, more than any other branch of husbandry, 

 and yet meet with partial success. Take the dairy, for instance; 

 it must be followed, and pushed with energy in every detail, to 

 make it a success. The same will apply to all the branches of farm- 

 ing, each department requiring our daily and almost constant 

 attention, and doing our best we can hardly show a respectable 

 balance sheet. Now if we give the apiary one tithe the thought 

 and attention given to the dairy, the swine, or the fowls, I would 

 guarantee ten times the per cent, profit. 



Another reason may be attributed to the supposed difBculty in 

 their management; this is more imaginary than real. With a very 

 limited knowledge of their habits and a little experience in hand- 

 ling, bees can be managed, comparatively, with as little trouble 

 and danger as almost any of the farm stock. If this fact could 

 be impressed, there would be very many more persons keeping 

 bees than there are at the present time. A certain amount of 

 knowledge is absolutely necessary to their successful culture, and 

 this can be easily obtained by any one. 



The question is often asked, regretfully, " what can be done to 

 keep our boys at home on the farm ? " I wish there were more 

 boys here at these meetings. Boys are naturally ambitious, wide- 

 awake, full, running over with animal spirit. This is as the 

 Creator intended. Let us not discourage, but rather control and 

 temper their different traits. Farm life is made too humdrum for 

 the average American youth. Give them interests of their own, 

 entirely their own, and independent of any interests in common. 



The subject before you this afternoon I should like to have 

 applied for the interest of the boys, not however to the exclusion 

 of the girls. Apiculture when managed scientifically is the most 

 absorbing, fascinating of all occupations, and is tvell adapted to 

 attract and hold a boy's mind, develop his intellect; and the 

 wonders which are constantly discovered in his study, naturally 

 turn his thoughts to a higher and all controlling power. 



I would say, boys, read up, inform yourselves, give this subject 

 thought and study, subscribe for some bee journal. After getting 



