MARCH 1, 1913 



1 :9 



Mrs. E. L. Swope demonstrating bees at the Puyalliip Fair, Washington. 



APICULTURE AS AN OCCUPATION 

 WOMEN 



FOR 



BY MRS. E. L. SWOPE 



The reasons for keeping bees are many 

 and various, and the business appeals to 

 man, woman, youth, and child. Bees have 

 been a part of the conscious life of man 

 from the beginning. Not only have they 

 sweetened his daily bread with beneficent 

 honey, but they have also set him an exam- 

 ple far more uplifting than any other insect 

 or animal creation. 



- Beekeeping is the one line of work that 

 the busy woman or the woman of leisure 

 can take up as a remunerative occupation. 

 All beginners should be j^rovided with a 

 silk bee-veil and rubber gloves, because bees 

 do not often attack rubber. They should 

 also visit the bees often and keep up the 

 acquaintance, but should not approach the 

 front of the liive. Always approach a 

 hive from the side or back. "When thus pvo- 

 tected by veil and gloves any one can handle 

 bees without being stung. However, most 

 people become immune to the poison after 



being stung a few times. When bee man- 

 agement has been properly learned bees are 

 as easily handled as birds. Women can care 

 for bees because there is little attention 

 necessary unless one wishes to feed for 

 early brood-rearing, or there is foul brood 

 in the vicinity. 



When the swarming season is at hand, 

 and one is provided witli a new sectional 

 hive with frames properly fitted with brood- 

 foundation starters, and an Alley queen and 

 drone trap, the bees may be allowed to clus- 

 ter in the trap or they may be left free to 

 cluster elsewhere. If they cluster on a 

 bush, cut the branch and lay it before the 

 hive, preferably on a large sheet of chea]> 

 muslin. Then tap lightly with a stick, and 

 you will soon experience a thi-ill of enthu- 

 siasm. The bees will march into the hive in 

 legular order. 



Women who keep bees are of great benefit 

 to their homes and communities. The hon- 

 ey supjDlied is the most healthful and pur- 

 est sweet the world knows, and is useful in 

 a variety of ways. It may be used in its 

 natural state on the table, in fruit-canning, 



