OR, MANUAL OF THB APIARY. IS 



the business." I once asked a hard worked teacher why he 

 kept bees. I felt like saying' amen to his answer : " For the 

 restful.pleasure which the work gives." I have often gone to 

 the bees tired and nervous, and after an hour's labor, felt re- 

 freshed, as by sound sleep. I have been deeply gratified many 

 times by the letters thanking me for having turned the writers' 

 attention towards bee-keeping. I often think that if a person 

 does embark in bee-keeping, commencing in a small way — and 

 no person should begin in any other way — the knowledge gained 

 and consequent pleasure received will prove ample remunera- 

 tion, even should no practical results follow. The man is 

 broadened by the study, and better fitted to enjoy life. 



Some years since my old friend and college classrnate, O. 

 Clute, visited me. Of course, I must show him the bees. He 

 was delighted, took this " Manual " home with him, purchased 

 some bees at once, and became enraptured with the work, and 

 the result of all this was another first-class bee-keeper and 

 that most fascinating work of fiction, " Blessed Bees." 



PROFITS. 

 The profits in bee-keeping offer strong inducements towards 

 its adoption as a pursuit. I believe few manual-labor occupa- 

 tions offer so large returns, if we consider the capital invested. 

 True, bee-keeping requires hard work, but this is only for a 

 portion of the year, and in winter there is almost no work, 

 especially if the bee-keeper buys all his hives, sections, etc., 

 which is usually wiser than to make them. The cautious, 

 prompt and skillful bee-keeper will often be able to secure an 

 annual average of seventy-five pounds per colony, besides 

 doubling the number of his colonies. This will give $10.00 per 

 colony at least, which is almost as much as the colony, with 

 required apparatus, is worth. Of course, poor years will con- 

 front the bee-keeper. Winter losses will be experienced by the 

 beginner. Some will fail entirely. The fickle, careless, indo- 

 lent man will as surely fail in bee-keeping as in any other 

 calling. Yet if one studies the science and art, and commences 

 bee-keeping in a small way, as all should, he will be no great 

 loser, even if he find that he is not suited to the business. He 

 knows more and is a broader man for this study and experi- 

 ence. My brother, who is a good farmer, with a fertile and 



