168 Rules for the Beginner. 
gent, he will take the journals, and will show by his con- 
versation that he knows the methods and views of his 
brother apiarists, and, above all, he will not think Ze knows 
zt all, and that his is the only way to success. If possible 
he should spend some weeks during the active season with 
such a bee-keeper, and should learn all he could of such a 
one, but always let judgment and common sense sit as 
umpire, that no plans or decisions may be made that judg- 
ment does not fully sustain. 
TAKE A COLLEGE COURSE. 
It will be ost wise to take a course in some college, if 
age makes this practicable, where apiculture is thoroughly 
discussed. Here one will not only get the best training in 
his chosen business, as he will study, see and handle, and 
thus will have the very best aids to decide as to methods, 
system and apparatus, but will also receive that general 
culture, which will greatly enhance life’s pleasures and use- 
fulness, and which ever proves the best capital in any 
vocation. At the Michigan Agricultural College we now 
have a fully equipped apiary, and the opportunities for spe- 
cial study in bee-keeping and entomology are peculiarly 
good. 
DECIDE ON A PLAN. 
After such a course as suggested above, it will be easy 
to decide as to location, hives, style of honey to raise, and 
general system of management. But here, as in all the 
arts, all our work should be preceded by a well-digested 
plan of operations. As with the farmer and the gardener, 
only he who works to a plan can hope for the best success. 
Of course, such plans will vary as we grow in wisdom and 
experience. A good maxim to govern all plans is “go 
slow.” A , good rule, which will insure the above, “ Pay 
as you go.” Make the apiary pay for all improvements i in 
advance. Demand that each year’s credits exceed its debts; 
and that you may surely accomplish this, keep an accurate 
account of all your receipts and expenses. This will be a 
great aid in arranging the plans for each successive year’s 
ope rations. 
