BEES, A SOURCE OF PROFIT. 159 



matters, on exceptions but on averages. And the 

 average yield in England is about 60 Ibs. per 

 hive, a low average price being 6d. per Ib. ; this 

 gives 30s. profit a year from every hive of bees. 



The wax also fetches a ready sale, and a swarm 

 will sometimes fetch a good price in the market. 



Many working men who understand bees have 

 made 6 to 8 a year net profit, and we have 

 heard of one working man who made 29 profit 

 from his bees, and one lady who netted 2 10s. 

 from one hive. 



Who Ought to Keep Bees? 



Another golden rule, that the experience of 

 men and women in all ages has proved to be 

 true, is this, that if we are to be successful and 

 to make an undertaking pay, we should know 

 something of that undertaking before it is 

 attempted. Especially is knowledge necessary if 

 bees are to be kept with pleasure and profit. 



Knowledge and practice give confidence, and 

 when you get confidence, the bees seem to know 

 it, 1 and when you go near the hive and handle 

 them they do not get frightened or angry, and 

 therefore you have less chance of being stung. 

 But if from ignorance, or want of practice, you 

 are nervous and clumsy, you will have every 

 chance of being badly stung. 



It is the same with every animal about a farm. 



