176 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



The Apiarian who aims at obtaining much surplus 

 honey in any season, cannot, usually, at the furthest, more 

 than double his stocks ; nor even that, unless all are strong, 

 and the season is favorable. If, hi any season that is not 

 favorable, he attempts a more rapid increase, he must not 

 only expect no surplus honey, but must even purchase 

 food for his bees, to keep them from starving. The time, 

 care, skill, and food required in our uncertain climate for 

 the rapid increase of colonies, are so great, that not one 

 bee-keeper in a hundred* can make it profitable ; while 

 most who attempt it, will be almost sure, at the close of 

 the season, to find themselves in possession of stocks 

 which have been managed to death. 



To make this matter plain, let us suppose a colony to 

 swarm. Nearly forty pounds of honey will be ordinarily 

 used by the new swarm in filling their hive with comb. 

 If the season is favorable, and the swarm large and early, 

 the bees may gather enough to build and store this comb, 

 and a surplus besides. If the parent-stock does not 

 swarm again, it will rapidly replenish its numbers, and 

 having no new comb to build in the main hive, will be 

 able besides to store up a generous allowance in the upper 

 boxes. If, however, the season should be unfavorable, 

 neither the first swarm nor the parent-stock can ordinarily 

 gather more than enough for their own use ; and if the 

 honey-harvest is very deficient, both may require feeding. 

 The bee-keeper's profits in such an unfortunate season, 

 will be the increase of his stocks. 



If the parent-stock is weak in the Spring, the early 



ence of its folly, in bee-keeping, as well as in other pursuits, can ever convince 

 men of the danger of "making haste to be rich." If, in spite of all that can be 

 said, the inexperienced will persist in the rapid multiplication of stocks, it is hoped 

 that they will at least have candor enough to attribute their losses to their own 

 folly. 



* Many a person who reads this will probably imagine that he is the one in a 

 hundred. 



