Adds to the Nation’s Wealth. 9 
yet all this is but gathered nectar, which would go to waste 
were it not for the apiarist and his bees. We thus save to 
the country that which would otherwise be a total loss. 
Apiculture, then, in adding so immensely to the product- 
ive capital of the country, is worthy as an art, to receive 
‘the encouragement and fostering care of the State. And 
the thought that he is performing substantial service to the 
State, may well add to the pleasure of the apiarist, as he 
performs his daily round of labor. When we add to this 
the vastly greater indirect benefit which comes through 
the agency of bees in fertilizing flowers, a benefit which 
can hardly be computed, we then understand the immense 
value which comes from bees. Truly the bee-keeper may 
feel proud of the grand part which his bees perform in the 
economy of that part of nature which most concerns man 
and most generously ministers to man’s wants. 
WHAT SUCCESSFUL BEE-KEEPING 
REQUIRES. 
MENTAL EFFORT. 
No one should commence this business who is not will- 
ing to read, think and study. To be sure the ignorant and 
unthinking may stumble on success for a time, but sooner 
or later failure will set her seal upon their efforts. Those of 
our apiarists who have studied the hardest, observed the 
closest, and thought the deepest have even passed the late 
terrible winter with but slight loss. Those who fail, often 
fail because of just this lack of mental preparation. 
Of course the novice will ask, “ How and what shall I 
study ?” 
EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. 
Nothing will take the place of real experience. Com- 
mence with a few colonies, even one or two is best, and 
make the bees your companions at every possible oppor- 
tunity. Note every change, whether of the bees, their 
development, or work, and then by earnest thought strive 
to divine the cause. 
