BEE-KEEPER'S AXIOMS. 369 



must not, except under the pressure of some urgent 

 necessity, be disturbed in the very least. 



I recommend to the inexperienced bee-keeper to read 

 this synopsis of monthly management, again and again, 

 and to be sure that he fully understands and punctually 

 discharges the appropriate duties of each month, neglect- 

 ing nothing, and procrastinating nothing to a more con- 

 venient season ; for, while bees do not require a large 

 amount of attention, in proportion to the profits yielded 

 by them, they must have it at the proper time and in the 

 right way. Those who complain of their unprofitable- 

 ness, are often as much to blame as a farmer who neglects 

 to take care of his stock, or to gather his crops, and then 

 denounces his employment as yielding only a scanty 

 return on a large investment of capital and labor. 



BEE-KEEPER'S AXIOMS. 



There are a few first principles in bee-keeping which 

 ought to be as familiar to the Apiarian as the letters of 

 his alphabet : 



1st. Bees gorged with honey never volunteer an attack. 



2nd. Bees may always be made peaceable by inducing 

 them to accept of liquid sweets. 



3rd. Bees, when frightened by smoke or by drumming 

 on their hives, fill themselves with honey and lose all dis- 

 position to sting, unless they are hurt. 



4th. Bees dislike any quick movements about their 

 hives, especially any motion which Jars their combs. 



5th. Bees dislike the offensive odor of sweaty animals, 

 and will not endure impure air from human lungs. 



6th. The bee-keeper will ordinarily derive all his profits 

 from stocks, strong and healthy, in early Spring. 



7th. In districts where forage is abundant only for a 

 16* 



