CHAPTER XLV 

 ABOUT BEES 



It is hoped that every one who reads this chapter will try to 

 find out more about bees than is told here. Bees are most 

 interesting and valuable insects. Many a person has spent 

 his entire life in studying bees and working with them. They 

 have been kept, studied, and written about from the earliest 

 times. Every one likes honey to eat, and every farm could 

 easily support some bees and furnish the delicious food for 

 the farmer's table. 



Bees can be kept in various places. An orchard used as a 

 sheep pasture is an ideal place for bees. The sheep will keep 

 the grass short and the trees give shade. It is desirable to keep 

 the grass or weeds from growing tall in front of the hive, as 

 bees returning home heavily laden will become entangled in 

 the tall grass and be*unable to get into the hive. Bees have 

 been successfully kept on the roofs of large buildings in cities. 

 Many persons living in the city keep bees in their back 

 yards. 



When America was first colonized there were no honey- 

 bees north of Mexico. The early settlers brought with them 

 what are known as the black or German bees, and the wild 

 bees now found are descendants from swarms which escaped. 

 Some years ago bees from other countries were brought here. 

 The Italian bees have met with the most favor. In fact, 



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