PREFACE. 



In 1876, in response to a desire frequently expressed by my apiarian 

 friends, principally my students, I published an edition of 3000 copies of 

 the little, unpretending " Manual of the Apiary." This was little more 

 than the course of lectures which I gave annually at the Michigan Agri- 

 cultural College. In less than two years this was exhausted, and the 

 second edition, enlarged, revised, and much more fully illustrated, was 

 issued. So great was the sale that in less than a year this was followed 

 by the third and fourth editions, and, in less than two years, the fifth 

 edition (seventh thousand) was issued. 



In each of the two following years, another edition was demanded. 

 In each of these editions the book has been enlarged, changes made, and 

 illustrations added, that the book might keep pace with our rapidly 

 advancing art. 



So great has been the demand for this work, not only at home and in 

 Europe, but even in more distant lands, and so great has been the prog- 

 ress of apiculture— so changed the views and methods of our best bee- 

 keepers — that the author feels warranted in thoroughly revising and 

 entirely recasting this eighth edition (tenth thousand). Not only is the 

 work re-written, but much new matter, and many new and costly illus- 

 trations, are added. 



The above I quote directly from the preface of the eighth edition, 

 published in 1883. Since then four editions have appeared, each reyised 

 as the progress of the art required. 



In electrotyping the eighth edition, through an accident very poor 

 work was done, so that the impressions of the last three editions have 

 been far from satisfactory. This has led me wholly to revise the present, 

 or thirteenth edition. In doing this I have thought it wise to add largely, 

 especially to the scientific portion, as the intelligence of our bee-keepers 

 demands the fullest information. I have thus added one hundred and 

 fifty pages and more than thirty illustrations. All this has involved so 



