PRODUCTIVE BEE-KEEPING 
CHAPTER I 
BEE-KEEPING A FASCINATING PURSUIT 
Wuite this book is written for the purpose of encouraging 
honey production as a business enterprise, and, accordingly, 
deals with the subject in a very practical manner, the reader 
is asked to allow the suggestion here at the beginning, that there 
is much of poetry, as well as hard work in making a living from 
the apiary. 
Honey-Bees as Pets.—No, this is not a joke, for bees really 
do make nice pets. They are always interesting, and have this 
advantage over most other pets: they can be left to look out for 
themselves without inconvenience during their owner’s absence. 
While there are comparatively few who keep bees as a sole source 
of livelihood, there are many thousands who keep a few colonies 
for a diversion, as a side line, or for the fun of the thing. Yes, 
it is safe to say that nearly every really successful bee-keeper 
comes to feel a strong affection for the busy little insects, and 
to regard his bees as pets (Fig. 1). 
To nature lovers, the pleasure of association with the bees 
outweighs the pleasures to be bought with the cash realized from 
the sale of the honey; hence they cannot refrain from growing 
very enthusiastic about bee-keeping as a business, and some- 
times the enthusiasts are accused of painting the picture with 
too much bright color. Perhaps some such feeling is essential 
to the pursuit, and the lack of it may account for the failure of 
some, who are not lacking in industry or patience, two very 
essential requirements. 
Getting Acquainted.—If one will make pets of the bees, he 
must first proceed to get acquainted with them. They are 
notional little creatures, and one must know what to expect 
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