;)e $ee-|^^f peps' jHfv^i^^. 



A MONTHLY JOURNAL 



Devoted to the Interests of Honey Producers. 

 $L00 A YEAR, 

 w. z. HDTCBiNsnN. Ediior M Proprieioi 



VOL. XVIII. FLINT, MICHIGAN, AUG. 15, 1905. NO. 8. 



Wo^w OEhe Callforiilaii Bleeps Bees 



M. H. MENDELSON. 



JT7 Q succeed in keeping- bees in lar^^e 

 -^ numbers, a man ought to have a 

 thorough knowledge of the business. 

 He should have system, and order, and 

 be resourceful, mechanical and invent- 

 ive. He must be patient and persever- 

 ing and have a determ-ination to suc- 

 ceed regardless of difficulties; tor there 

 are many draw backs in bee-keeping 

 in California — bad years, and many 

 short years. The past ten years have 

 been mostly failures for lack of rain- 

 fall, which have been quite discour- 

 aging to many producers. 



I started with about 200 colonies, in- 

 creased to 500, and had to look for new 

 territory, for my increasing business. 



When I had only one or two apiaries, 

 it was an easy matter to get my bees 

 in prime condition for a honey harvest. 

 I did the work mostly alone, excepting 

 in swarming and extracting time, 

 when I hired help for the time being. 



As my bees increased I was compelled 

 to get additional ranges and assist- 

 ants; and when the bulk of work was 

 over I generally let all help go, and I 

 did the balance of labor for the season, 

 but now I shall be compelled to get 

 permanent assistance. 



In starting out-apiaries, new con- 

 ditions were contended with. It was 

 an experiment and a costly one. Bad 

 years would change plans, and there 

 were discouragements, success and 

 hope deferred. 



In managing ofie apiary, in bad 

 years, profitable side-issues would 

 assist me out, as I was handy with 

 carpenter's tools, and tinner's tools, and 

 adapted myself to various kinds of 

 work; but the most of this spare time 

 was spent working in the best stores. 



My increased business prevents me 

 from giving my entire personal atten- 

 tion to each individual colonj', as well" 



