CHAPTER XVin 

 Bee-keeping 



ANYONE who has ever kept bees — conducted an 

 •^*' apiary — should have no difficulty in recalling 

 memorable incidents connected therewith. Mem- 

 ories of bee-keeping, realistically recorded, should 

 properly show a considerable number of exclama- 

 tion marks. The busy bee, at all events, punctu- 

 ates certain of its doings with full points and the 

 apiarist may be depended on to furnish the ex- 

 clamations. 



Among my varied experiences down on the farm 

 I have vivid recollections of bees that I have 

 known. As a boy, I was fond of sweets, and 

 levelled in bulPs-eye candy and sugar sticks when 

 circumstances would permit. When I was old 

 enough and became learned in the best methods of 

 robbing bumble-bees, I pursued that avocation 

 with enthusiasm. Later I decided to become an 

 apiarist and, later still, I decided that I was too 

 sensitive to continue. 



QUALIFICATIONS FOB A BEE-KEEPEE 



Briefly put I was not a success in chumming 

 with the busy bee. I was too thin-skinned. To be 



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