PREFACE. 



Immediately upon the publication of "Scientific Queen-rearing," In 

 1889, I began work upon the problem of non-swarming, either with or 

 without manipulation, putting fully as many years and as much thought 

 into this problem as I did to bring about the matter published In the 

 queen-book. It is not my Intention, in this work, to go over all the 

 ground "traveled" during the past sixteen years, used in fully perfecting 

 the plan as given in this book, as the book is written for the specialist, 

 and particularly for one having or desiring to keep bees In out-apiarles. 



While the book is intended for the specialist, it is none the less 

 desirable for the plain, every-day bee-keeper, with his one home apiary, 

 or fpr the amateur with his five to ten colonies; and because this book 

 is for the specialist in bee-keeping I have not gone into first principles 

 or the A B C of our pursuit, as the specialist has passed these rudi- 

 mentary things long ago. There are plenty of good books before one, 

 and all who are desirous of learning of the foundation structure, there- 

 fore, have no need of repeating here. (The amateur should certainly 

 procure, read, and digest one or more of these books upon entering the 

 ranks of apiculture.) 



For these reasons I have "jumped right into the arena," without 

 fear or asking any favors, and told the reader, in as simple language 

 as I could, and as briefly as possible with a full understanding of the 

 plan in sight, just what was done at the twelve different visits I made 

 to the out-apiary, during one year, and the results accruing therefrom; 

 and I do not think that I have exhausted the subject, but I have given 

 the first principles the same as I did in "Scientific Queen-rearing." 

 While I have been digging out the plans as given in this book, others 

 have been building many different structures on the queen-rearing prin- 

 ciple I gave, for which I am glad; but they have not undermined the 

 principle, nor brought It to naught. 



And now I send this non-swarming-section-honey-producing principle 

 out, expecting that others will build different structures on it; and If 

 they do, I shall be glad again. I cheerfully and freely give the principles 

 in this system to all, hoping and believing that the same will prove as 

 efiBclent in the hands of others as they have with me. 



