THE AMERICAN APICULTURIST. 



life is the joy experienced in caring 

 for the apiary. To watch and con- 

 trol the work incidental to a live 

 beekeeper's occupation is not only 

 healthful but pleasurable. With 

 the first natural dread overcome in 

 handling bees (a dread easily con- 

 quered) no one, who in the least 

 enjoys investigating the wonders 

 of nature, can fail of enjoying the 

 study of what some term '■'Beeolo- 

 gy." Of course it would be impos- 

 sible to go into details in so short 

 an article. The principles of the 

 pursuit are well laid down in works 

 like Langstroth's "Hive and the 

 Honey Bee," Quinby's "Mysteries 

 of Beekeeping," the "A B C of 

 Beekeeping," Cook's Manual," 

 etc. These well read, the manipu- 

 lation of bees practised in the pro- 

 per season, and a start has really 

 been made. Progress and success 

 in the occupation depend largely 

 upon the individual's skill and in- 

 telligent management. A loose or 

 spasmodic attention to your "pets" 

 will result in poor returns and per- 

 haps put yours in the catalogue of 

 "blasted hopes." While a pe?-- 

 petual "fussing with bees" is not 

 commended, prompt, intelligent, 

 and systematic management at 

 special seasons must certainly be 

 observed if we are to look for satis- 

 factory results. Like all other 

 farm commodities the price of hon- 

 ey rules low, but the demand for 

 it is constantly increasing. Those 

 largely engaged in bee culture are 

 compelled to admit that there is 

 little danger of over-production. 

 On this point the Messrs. Dadant 

 (extensive honey producers of cen- 



tral 111.) says," The production of 

 honey has not been, and cannot be, 

 overdone. Extracted honey can 

 be produced at 6 cts. per lb. (half 

 its usual price) and pay its produ- 

 cer. The consumption increases 

 as fast as the production, and honey 

 will alioays be the highest priced of 

 all sweets." 



With man}' such testimonies in 

 favor of the increased production 

 of so healthful a sweet as pure hon- 

 ey, let no one be afraid to venture. 

 There is room for all. 



A GUIDE TO 



THE BEST METHODS OF 



BEEKEEPING. 



By J. L. Christ. 



R. F. Holterman, Translator. 

 (Continued from p. 13, Vol. III.) 



Regaeding the space in front of 

 the hive for flight although it is well 

 to have as great a distance as pos- 

 sible, or at least twenty to thirty 

 paces free for flight to and from 

 the hive, yet if tlie locality will 

 not admit of a perfectly free access 

 it will do no great injury if the 

 bees do have to fly over high walls 

 and buildings to procure their nour- 

 ishment ; they frequently do this 

 of their own free will and without 

 being compelled. My bees are sur- 

 rounded b}' buildings and fly over 

 the church without any disadvant- 

 age. The only thing is that they 

 are at a greater elevation more easi- 

 ly caught by swallows or overtaken 

 by a sudden thunder-storm and are 

 lost. 



