BEE-KEEPING. 45 



to rise to this height, will be grievously disappointed, 

 more especially if he repudiate the use of all the improve- 

 ments of modern times, the result of the collective 

 experience and wisdom of able and truth-telling observers. 

 Very strong stocks have been known to gather 10 or 12 

 pounds per day during exceptionally good honey weather ; 

 and a skilful Apiarian in a good honey locality and season, 

 by the expenditure of ceaseless care and attention, may, 

 perchance, with a strong stock of Bees, obtain a super of 

 80 or 100 pounds of pure virgin comb. 



" Huge honeycombs of golden juice, 

 Not only sweet, but fit for use."— ViRGIL. 



This is a feat to be proud of, but years may elapse before 

 such a result is attained, notwithstanding the devotion 

 of unlimited time, and the exercise of special skill in 

 fostering, which the many are not able to bestow. 



An average price for a good swarm of English Bees, we 

 may set down at i S s., a little more or less, according to 

 the abundance of Bees in the neighbourhood. If we 

 allow 2J. per annum for capital expended on a good frame 

 hive, not a fancy article, and 3J. for sugar in hard times, 

 . we shall have an annual expenditure of S^., and the stock, 

 after the first year, may be fairly expected to return one 

 swarm, value 1 5^., and say 20 pounds of honey, value 20s., 

 a very large profit on the capital employed, setting aside 

 exceptional years when two or more swarms will come off, 

 or the exceptional harvest of 50 pounds or 100 pounds 

 that, possibly, may gladden the eyes of the exultant Bee- 

 master, also the contingency of the swarm in its first year, 

 giving a surplus in honey or virgin swarm. 



Is not this profit enough to satisfy all but the most 

 grasping usurer .' A labouring man residing in almost 

 any rural district may keep quite fifty hives of Bees, 



