1134 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



is now in the thirteenth thousand. All of this shows the inter- 

 est felt in apiculture, which could not exist were it not that 

 there are generous profits to sustain it. 



Apiculture as an avocation possesses rare advantages. It 

 gives fresh air, exercise, and health, especially to those of seden- 

 tary habits like lawyers, doctors, and divines. Langstroth and 

 Dzierzon are both clergymen. It affords healthful recreation to 

 the student, and greatly strengthens the mental and observing 

 powers. It takes but little time and labor, when carried on in 

 a small way, and from the physical ease with which an apiary 

 can be conducted, by careful planning, it affords special induce- 

 ments to the women. Some of our most intelligent and success- 

 ful American bee-keepers are ladies. Mrs. Harrison, of Illinois, 

 and " Cyula Liriswick," of Michigan, rank among our first 

 apiarists. 



Hindrances to the Industry. The fear of stings is the 

 great barrier in the way of the spread of this vocation. Many 

 persons have such a dread of bees that they can not be induced 

 to go near them. Those who suffer great pain when stung, and 

 who are so susceptible to the poison that the swelling is great 

 and the fever and irritation long and severe, should not enter 

 this field. It may be said, however, that to many who suffer 

 considerably at first, frequent stings seem to bring relief. The 

 poison inoculates the system, and soon there is no swelling and 

 little suffering from being stung. I have known a large num- 

 ber of such cases. All who are not severely affected with the 

 poison need not hesitate ; for with the appliances at our com- 

 mand stings are easily avoided, and very soon all this fear and 

 nervousness will entirely disappear. 



Requisites to Success. There are a few qualities that 

 we must have would we succeed. The would-be bee-keeper must 

 have persistence. Many are faint-hearted, and give up before 

 experience even could promise any considerable success. Again, 

 the candidate for successful apiculture must be mentally active, 

 and by a thorough study of our best books make himself fully 

 conversant with the history and habits of the bees, and the 

 methods which are practiced by the most prosperous apiarists. 



