THE AMERICAN APICULTURIST. 



securing such results. To show 

 the progress which has been made, 

 let me cite the following : 



Before the movable-frame hive 

 was invented, if by any chance 

 fifty pounds of box honey were 

 secured from a single stock in a 

 very favorable season, it was con- 

 sidered a remarkable yield ; after 

 the movable comb hive was more 

 generally in use 100 lbs. were as 

 easily obtained. Then with more 

 experience and better methods, 

 twice this amount of box honey 

 was received and still we advanced, 

 until as much as 300 lbs. were 

 reported. During the season of 

 1872 we took 225 lbs. from each of 

 several stocks. 



The honey-extractor had been 

 given us and the amount of honey 

 which could be secured was greatly 

 increased by its use. From 100 to 

 150 lbs. of extracted honey, was, 

 in a good season, found to be easily 

 secured from good stocks with 

 proper management. In 1870 we 

 took our first large yield from a 

 single stock, which was 361 lbs. 

 Since this we have taken as much 

 as 484 lbs. from one stock. 



Our greatest success was during 

 the season of 1881, when we took 

 from an apiary of 40 colonies 9727 

 lbs., which was a little over 243 lbs. 

 to the hive on an average. 



We give these facts to show the 

 advancement which has been made. 

 Further than this I desire to say 

 that it is my opinion, based upon 

 close observation, that the possi- 

 bilities to which we shall yet attain 

 are far from being reached. 



While these facts are of interest, 



they will not be of practical value, 

 unless I shall offer some suggestions 

 as to how such yields were secured ; 

 that some who are yet inexperienced 

 may be stimulated to investigate 

 more closely in this direction. 



First let me say, that the " key- 

 note" to success, in any business 

 where a large amount of labor is 

 required, is a large force of workers. 

 Beekeeping is no exception to this 

 rule. If your working force is 

 limited you will receive but a small 

 amount of honey. If large, the 

 yield will be large in proportion, 

 provided always, that we do not 

 lose sight of the fact, that provision 

 is made to keep all employed. In 

 this as in all other pursuits, idlers 

 should not be allowed in the way 

 for those who are busy to stumble 

 over. 



In his first edition of the " Mys- 

 teries of Beekeeping Explained," 

 published in 1853, Mr. Quinby 

 recommended putting on boxes 

 when the bees are lying idle upon 

 the front of the hive. This of 

 course is at a season when honey 

 is afforded. 



Let it be remembered that when 

 bees are observed to be thus idle, 

 when hone}^ is plentiful, is an evi- 

 dence that some necessary require- 

 ment is lacking. 



Now in securing a large force of 

 bees which will be ready to gather 

 honey at the proper time, many 

 things are necessary ; in fact, this 

 field is so broad, that I can at most 

 but hint at the different points as 

 I pass. 



Very much will depend upon the 

 success one has in winterins:. If 



