INTRODUCTION. 



hundred; but ia most of the Eastern States the amount produced is sold locally, so that it 

 does not show up in carloads as it does in some of the Western States, particularly those 

 in the alfalfa and mountain-sage districts; and it may be said that the amount of honey 

 that is annually produced at the present time in the arid and mountainous districts is very 

 small in comparison with what probably will be produced in years to come. The new ir- 

 rigation projects, both State and national, will make room for immense acreages of alfalfa, 

 and this will doubtless mean in the near future a trebling of the amount of this beautiful 

 honey. 



In addition to the large amount of literature on bees that is being distributed, there 

 are numerous local and State bee-keepers' societies that hold bee conventions in various 

 parts of the country, and some of these are affiliated with the National Bee-keepers' Asso- 

 ciation with a membership of nearly twenty-five hundred. 



Besides these different organizations there have been held various field-day exhibitions 

 in different parts of the country. At a recent one held in Jenkintown, near Philadelphia, 

 at the apiary belonging to the authors of this work, over a thousand people interested in 

 bee culture were present to witness the various operations in the handling of bees. 



But this is not all. So great has been the growth of the bee-keeping industry that even 

 our national government is giving substantial recognition to the business. The Bureau of 

 Entomology of the United States Department of Agriculture sets aside something like 

 nine thousand five hundred dollars per annum for the study of apiculture. Some five or 

 six trained experts are devoting their whole time to the study of bees, including one bac- 

 teriologist, who is giving his entire attention to the investigation of bee diseases. In addi- 

 tion to all this, many State agricultural colleges and experiment stations are giving more 

 or less attention to the subject— so much so that bee culture has come to be recognized as 

 one of the great national industries. 



Honey is now found on the tables of nearly all of our best families. A large percent- 

 age of the cakes and cookies now manufactured by some of the extensive baking com- 

 panies contain honey, for it has been found that honey is not only a sweetener but a 

 preservative as well. As an indication of the large amount of honey used for the purpose, 

 it may be interesting to note in this connection that the National Biscuit Company is said 

 to have placed an order for one hundred cars of honey. We have also been informed that 

 the independent bakers have formed an association to buy honey and other supplies. This 

 organization buys for its members anywhere from ten to twenty-five carloads of honey at 

 a time. Honey is also used in a large way by the makers of soft drinks. They require a 

 sweet that has plenty of flavor, and honey fills the bill. 



Beeswax, of which there are now annually hundreds of tons produced, is now used in 

 the arts and sciences as it never was before; and while paraflSne and ceresine have to a 

 limited extent taken its place, yet there is a peculiar quality about the product from the 

 hives that makes it far superior to these mineral waxes. The very fact that it can com- 

 mand two or three times the price of its inferior comi)etitors gives some idea of its value. 



But there is an ethical as well as a commercial side to bee culture that should be men- 

 tioned. Thousands of people all over the world have found health and happiness in the 

 keeping of bees; for, be it noted, they may be kept in any back yard in any climate, and 

 yield not only a large amount of pleasure but profit as well. Many thousands more make 

 bee-keeping a side issue in connection with some other business or profession, and who, 

 by such work as this, are enabled to increase their already modest income, thus making a 

 comfortable living. 



In addition to all this, the study of bees opens up a new world and a new science. The 

 professional and business man finds that he can give his fagged brain a rest and a respite 

 from the cares of the day. It is no small wonder, then, that the ABC of 1877, of 200 

 pages in the early days, should find so extensive a demand for it that it should not only be 

 increased in size, but reach the enormous sale of 131,000 copies. 



If there was ever a rural pursuit that made greater progress in half a century in this 

 country than bee culture the writer does not know it; and yet many are so optimistic that 

 they believe the industry is only in its infancy. 



Jan. 1, 1908. Eknest R. Root. 



