ILLINOIS STATE BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION 



97 



1903, 1904, 1905, 1907 and 1908 were all 

 pretty nearly as good years. This year 

 I began the season with 130 colonies, 

 but they were reduced down to below 

 72 colonies, which produced 28 barrels 

 of honey, 565 pounds per barrel, which 

 would be 15,820 pounds of honey. 

 There was some increase, I do not 

 know exactly the number, but the in- 

 crease was mainly by divisions, what 



we call artificial swarms, because I 

 make artificial swarms out of the 

 weaker colonies, those that are not able, 

 or strong enough to make a good crop 

 of honey, but the strong swarms I 

 never touch, because I want the honey 

 first of all. That honey at 8 cents a 

 pound is equal to $1,265.60. That is 

 what it is selling for now, 8 cents a 

 pound. I am getting 9 cents, or an 

 average of $17,60 per colony. 



W7 



