58 BEES FOR PLEASURE AND PROFIT. 



these should last for ten years at least, we need only take a 

 tentli part of their value, as below, which amounts to 1 2.s^ 



£ .V </. 



.S liives at 8 In. each .... 



1 rapid feeder ..... 



8 .slow bottle feeders .... 



1 travelling box ..... 



Total 



Therefore the total expense will be the tenth part of £6 

 (viz., 12*\) added to £o 12s. 6d.y which amounts to £Q 4s. 6(L 



Of course where the apiarist makes his own hives this 

 amount will be considerably reduced, but for this method of 

 increase the very utmost economy is necessary to make it a 

 tinancial success. The three stocks of bees sold in the spring 

 for £3 10s. apiece would amount to £10 10>^. for the lot, or a 

 profit of £4 5s. 6(L 



Although it is not to be supposed that the high prices 

 tliat bees have commanded since the war will be maintained, 

 it must at the same time be borne in mind that the price of 

 sugar, etc., is also likely to drop; nor, in good honey seasons, 

 will the bee-keeper require to use nearly so much sugar as I 

 have here allowed for. 



Begin with one Stock. 

 Of course more than £3 10s. a stock can often be obtained 

 at the present time ; but as experience and economy are indis- 

 pensable, I advise every one to begin with one hive, and if 

 this one, worked for increase by the method just detailed, 

 should prove profitable, then to work more on the same lines 

 the following year. 



Artificial Methods of Increase. 

 Although the foregoing method of increase is probably the 

 best in every way for the novice, when the bee-keeper has 

 gained experience he may find a wholl}" artificial method the 

 most desirable, yielding the largest profit at the smallest cost ; 

 but let it be clearly understood that experience is quite a 

 desideratum, and that a novice is almost certain to make 

 a hopeless failure by attempting too much before he has 

 acquired the experience requisite to make the method of 

 artificial increase, now to be detailed, a success ; for b}' it tlie 

 stock is divided into ver}' small parts, and in making up these 

 nuclei the tyro, who has had no experience, is likely to put in 



