142 LIBERTY AND A LIVING. 



swarms at all, and simply let them go, knowing 

 that more honey would mean a serious amount 

 of time taken in looking after the hives and 

 in selling the honey. The last year has given 

 me no less than 280 pounds of honey in boxes 

 and 160 pounds in the frames. Half of this 

 honey has been sold at an average price of 14 

 cents a pound, which is about two thirds of 

 the price obtained for it by the local grocer to 

 whom I sold it. 



To sum up the results of my experiments in 

 bee-culture, I have six hives completely filled 

 with bees and ready for the winter, which have 

 cost me in all $46, including the original outlay. 

 During the five years I have spent exactly 80 

 cents in food for the bees ; when the spring is 

 very late, they sometimes require to be helped 

 along with a little candy. I estimate the value 

 of my plant at $100, and my honey which re- 

 mains for the winter's consumption at $30. 

 The time necessary to look after and take care 

 of 6 hives is certainly not more than three 

 hours a week, and the number of stings received 

 depends upon the caution and skill of the bee- 

 keeper. I have found that it is not necessary 



