AUSTRALASIAN BEE MANUAL 5 



tion in the Australian States, there is a better outlook 

 than ever before for bee-keeping in this part of the 

 world. 



PROFITS OF BEE-KEEPING. 



The question as to the average annual profit that 

 may be expected from each hive is very frequently 

 asked by those who contemplate going into bee- 

 keeping largely. It is easy to show what results are 

 attained in some cases, but it would be dangerous to 

 apply such results as a measure of success or failure 

 to every case. So much depends upon the skill and 

 perseverance of the apiarist, the location of the apiary, 

 and the commercial ability brought to bear in the 

 management, that it is necessary to be very guarded 

 in one's reply. Under favourable conditions with 

 regard to locality and bee forage, a reasonable sized 

 apiary, and a skilful and persevering man in charge, 

 an annual average net profit of from 17/- to £1 may be 

 expected per colony. This is the estimate I gave in 

 my Government Bulletin, and I consider it well within 

 the mark, and, also, applicable under similar con- 

 ditions to the bee-keeping centres of Australia. 



It is a rule, without exception in bee-keeping, that 

 with larg/ely increased operations, and the establish- 

 ment of out-apiaries, the average profit per hive 

 diminishes. No doubt this may be accounted for by 

 the inability of the apiarist to give each individual 

 colony so large a share of attention. 



ADVICE TO BEGINNERS. 



Bee-keeping is suitable to either sex, and I would 

 strongly advise all young people contemplating taking 

 it up as a business to engage for a full season with a 

 successful bee-farmer, starting early in the season, and 

 remaining till the honey is prepared for market in the 

 following Autumn. The experience gained in that 

 time would enable the beginner to start intelligently 

 and avoid the mistakes one may readily fall into 



