INTRODUCTION. 



TN industry, productivity, adaptability, and utility, the class Insecta 

 produces non e superior to the honey-bee. The head secretes a lactic 

 fluid; the tongue collects nectar; the honey stomach begins the trans- 

 formation of nectar into honey; the abdominal plates manufacture wax, 

 and the posterior extremity is the seat of the defensive organ, the 

 gland of which secretes formic acid. Every available bit of space is 

 taxed to produce its required quota of valuable material. 



In the economy of nature, the bee is depended upon to care for 

 itself and its offspring. Should it be considered a source of profit, 

 intelligent management must be added to secure margins; and it 

 can be safely said the depth of these margins is directly proportionate 

 to the amount of time, thought and attention invested. This super- 

 vision does not consist alone in the manipulation of the hive and its 

 occupants, but includes, as well, provision for requisite pasturage 

 from which ample supplies may be gathered. 



It has been deemed expedient to place in this connection a treatise 

 upon practical methods in the manipulation of bees. "A Year w r ith 

 the Bees" has been ably prepared by Mr. A. H. Duff, of Larned, Kan., 

 who has devoted his attention almost exclusively to bees and beekeep- 

 ing for the past thirty years. His early experience was gained in 

 Ohio. This enables him to speak advisedly upon methods peculiarly 

 adapted to Kansas. Mr. Duff, however, needs no introduction to the 

 apiarists of Kansas, since he has conducted for years the apiary de- 

 partment of the Kansas Farmer, and is a regular correspondent upon 

 apiculture for a number of other leading journals. 



During the past summer the writer was placed in an excellent 

 laboratory, the field, for observation and study of alfalfa as a honey 

 plant, and the action of the bees thereon. Many apiaries in the alfalfa 

 region were visited, observations made upon the conduct of bees 

 toward alfalfa grown under varied conditions, and correspondence car- 

 ried on with leading apiarists from all parts of the state. The quali- 

 ties of alfalfa honey have also been chemically compared with the 

 other leading varieties of honey, by Dr. E. C. Franklin, of the de- 

 partment of organic chemistry, a well-known authority upon sugar 

 analysis. Doctor Franklin was assisted by Mr. J. C. Swayze, an ad- 

 vanced student of that department. 



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