28 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



Apart from the beneficial results accruing from the work of bees on fruit bloorn^ 

 most fruit growers may considerably augment their income by adding bee-keeping 

 to their business. 



All this by way of introduction as to the best way to begin the business. 

 It is not at all necessary -nor is it desirable — to incur a heavy outlay in starting ; 

 on the contrary, it would be unwise to do so. Bees multiply so fast that their 

 increase will keep pace with the growing knowledge of their keeper on managing 

 them. In time the problem with most people is, how to prevent becoming 

 over well stocked. Two stocks are quite enough to begin with. These should 

 be bought in the spring, and, if possible, purchased from a reliable neighbor. 

 There is no extravagance in paying a good price for them, provided they are 

 strong in bees and well provided with food against the time of need. A strong 

 working force is the secret of getting honey. It is absurd to expect large results 

 from a small working party. One strong hive is worth half a dozen weak ones. To 

 collect and store honey in a short time — and the honey season is short — there must 

 be a large working force in the field. A hive of bees is valuable or otherwise, just 

 in proportion to its numerical strength, coupled with the presence of a young and 

 vigorous queen. The novice will not be in a position to make a wise selection 

 — hence, the wisdom in purchasing from one in whose honesty he has confidence. 

 The price should be a secondary consideration ; low priced things are seldom 

 cheap. When approaching a man with the view of making a first purchase, don't 

 do so with the question, " What do you want for a hive of bees ? " As well ask 

 him, " What price do you ask for a cow ? " There is just as much difference in 

 the value of one hive of bees as compared with another, as there is between one 

 cow as compared with another. Some of both are dear at any price. 



The beginner should start with not more than two or three stocks. 

 He should commence in the spring. He will consult his own interest by buying 

 from a man w r hose reputation for honesty is unquestioned. He should bargain 

 for the best, and be prepared to pay a good price. This being done he may 

 reasonably expect two swarms from each stock by the middle of August. For 

 these he should provide hives similar to those in which the parent stocks are, and 

 which may be purchased from almost any supply dealer. He should subscribe 

 for the Canadian Bee Journal and provide himself with one or other of the 

 standard books on bee-keeping advertised in its columns. The rest may be left 

 for his zeal in the work, or his inquisitive disposition to find out. 



Owe/i Sound, Out. R. McNaught. 



Re-pottixg. — Amateurs, as a rule, repot too often, and keep their plants 

 in too large pots. It is of no use to give a plant fresh soil before its roots have 

 pretty well occupied the old. There is a proper time to repot, and that is when 

 the ball of earth is well surrounded by roots, a state that can be determined by 

 tipping the plant out of the pot. — E. A. Long, in American Gardening. 



