Introduction to the First Edition 



About the year 1865, during the month of August, a swarm of bees passed overhead 

 where we were at work, and my fellow-workman, in answer to some of my inquiries re- 

 specting their habits, asked what I would give for them. I, not dreaming he could by any 

 means call them down, offered him a dollar, and he started after them. To my astonish- 

 ment, he, in a short time, returned with them hived in a rough box he had hastily picked 

 up, and, at that moment, I commenced learning my A B C in bee culture. Before night I 

 had questioned not only the bees but every one I knew, who could tell me any thing about 

 these strange new acquaintances of mine. Our books and papers were overhauled that 

 evening; but the little that I found only puzzled me the more, and kindled anew the desire 

 to explore and follow out this new hobby of mine; for, dear reader, I have been all my life 

 much given to hobbies and new projects. 



Farmers who had kept bees assured me that they once paid, when the country was 

 new, but of late years they were of no profit, and everybody was abandoning the business. 

 I had some headstrong views in the matter, and in a few days I visited Cleveland, ostensi- 

 bly on other business, but I had really little interest in any thing until I could visit the 

 bookstores and look over the books on bees. I found but two, and I very quickly chose 

 Langstroth. May God reward and for ever bless Mr. Langstroth for the kind and pleasant 

 way in which he unfolds to his readers the truths and wonders of creation to be found in- 

 side the bee-hive. 



What a gold-mine that book seemed to me as I looked it over on my journey home ! 

 Never was romance so enticing— no, not even Robinson Crusoe; and, best of all, right at 

 my own home I could live out and verify all the wonderful things told therein. Late as it 

 was, I yet made an observatory hive and raised queens from worker eggs before winter, 

 and wound up by purchasing a queen of Mr. Langstroth for $20.00. I should, in fact, have 

 wound up the whole business, queen and all, most effectually, had it not been for some 

 timely advice toward Christmas, from a plain practical farmer near by. With his assist- 

 ance, and by the purchase of some more bees, I brought all safely through the winter. 

 Through Mr. Langstroth I learned of Mr. Wagner, who, shortly afterward, was induced to 

 recommence the publication of the American Bee Journal, and through this I gave accounts 

 monthly of my blunders and occasional successes. 



In 1867, news came across the ocean from Germany, of the honey-extractor; and by 

 the aid of a simple home-made machine I took 1000 lbs. of honey from 20 stocks, and in- 

 creased them to 35. This made quite a sensation, and numbers embarked in the new busi- 

 ness; but when I lost all but 11 of the 35 the next winter, many said, " There! I told you 

 how it would turn out." 



I said nothing, but went to work quietly and increased the 11 to 48 during the one sea- 

 son, not using the extractor at all. The 48 were wintered entirely without loss, and I think 

 it was mainly because I took care and pains with each individual colony. From the 48 I 

 secured 6162 lbs. of extracted honey, and sold almost the entire crop for 25 cents per lb. 

 This capped the climax, and inquiries in regard to the new industry began to come in from 

 all sides. Beginners were eager to know what hives to adopt, t nd where to get honey- 

 extractors. As the hives in use seemed very poorly adapted to the use of the extractor, 

 and as the machines offered for sale were heavy and poorly adapted to the purpose, besides 

 being " patented," there really seemed to be no other way before me then to manufacture 

 these implements. Unless I did this I should be compelled to undertake a correspondence 

 that would occupy a great part of my time without affording any compensation of any ac- 

 count. The fullest directions 1 knew how to give for making i)lain simple hives, etc., 

 were from time to time pul)lislied in the American Bee Journal; but the demand for further 

 particulars was such that a circular was printed, and, shortly after, a second edition; then 

 another, and another. These were intended to answer the greater part of the queries; and 

 from the cheering words received in regard to them it seemed that the idea was a happy one. 



Until 1873 all these circulars were sent out gratuitously; but at that time it was deemed 

 best to issue a quarterly at 25 cents per year, for the purpose of answering these inquiries. 

 The very first number was received with such favor that it was immediately changed to a 

 monthly at 75 cents. The name given it was Oleanings in Bee Culture, and it was gradual- 



