HINTS FOR BEE-KEEPING 



( Collected from the best authors.) 



BEE-KEEPING should be a profitable investment in New 

 Zealand. We do not know of any country where there are 

 so few drawbacks to bee-keeping. In America, where the 

 industry is largely pursued, the drawbacks are numerous, 

 especially in the northern territories, where the stocks have 

 to be stored away for the Winter and the bees have to be 

 fed. We are not troubled with ants, as in Australia and 

 elsewhere. We have a mild and open Winter, the country 

 abounds with clover and other honey-producing plants. In 

 fact we have all the conditions naturally which have to be 

 provided by artificial means in other countries ; so that if 

 bee-keeping pays as it assuredly does in such countries, how 

 much better should it pay in New Zealand ? 



History informs us that the ancient Egyptians of the Nile 

 had floating bee-houses, designed to take advantage of the 

 honey harvest. They were warned when it was time to return 

 home by the depth to which the boat sank in the water under 

 the weight of the cargo of honey. That the bees might not 

 be lost, they were obliged to journey during the night-time. 

 Bee-houses, instead of single stands, may become popular ; 

 but many use inferior structures, which prevent the bees from 

 being properly handled. You must for want of room operate 

 in front of the hives, and thus obstruct the bees and make 



