6 A Modern Bee-Farm 
and temperate disposition, and moreover is not enthusiastic, 
and a lover of Nature (the natural. qualifications of a 
bee-keeper), had better keep out of the business, or failure 
will surely be the result. At the same time, it is by no 
means certain that reverses will® not occasionally be met 
with by the most expert and painstaking man; but such 
difficulties should be looked upon as inducing a greater 
stimulus, with renewed effort and:more determination to 
overcome every obstacle. 
The Estimated Expenses for the First Two Years 
will be found in the Appendix, the apiarist, having had 
two years’ apprenticeship, starting with not less than 100 
colonies, and with some £500 as his capital ; otherwise he 
will struggle on for years before his business can be 
satisfactorily established. This will be admitted by many 
who have gained their experience by a long and laborious 
process. 
The greater part of the expenses go towards stock-in- 
trade ; but after the second year, the outlay will be smaller, 
while the returns will be considerably higher, as the 
apiarist consolidates his working force. The quantity of 
sugar required may amount to more or less according to 
the season, and the extent to which the bees are deprived 
of honey. The better management is that whereby the 
largest surplus is obtained w7thout depriving the stock- 
chamber of honey at all; in which case the labour and 
expense involved in feeding will often be unnecessary. 
Having charged the cost of bottles and tins, the same 
should be added to the selling price of the extracted honey, 
as showing the more correct estimate. 
Number of Colonies. 
In reference to the estimates given in the Appendix, it 
will be seen that it is proposed to keep the number of 
a 
