INTRODUCTION. 23 



monthly periodical which has been published for more than 

 fifteen years in Germany, and is probably more familiar 

 with the state of Apiarian culture abroad, than any man in 

 this country. 



I am anxious further to show that the great importance 

 which I attach to my system of management, is amply jus- 

 tified by the success of those who while pursuing the same 

 system with inferior hives, have attained results, which to 

 common bee-keepers, seem almost incredible. Inventors 

 are very prone to form exaggerated estimates of the value 

 of their labors ; and the American public has been so often 

 deluded with patent hives, devised by persons ignorant of 

 the most important principles in the natural history of the 

 bee, and which have utterly failed to answer their professed 

 objects, that they are scarcely to be blamed for rejecting 

 every new hive as unworthy of confidence. 



There is now a prospect that a Bee Journal will before 

 long, be established. in this country. Such a publication has 

 long been needed. Properly conducted, it v/ill have a most 

 powerful influence in disseminating information, awakening 

 enthusiasm, and guarding the public against the miserable 

 impositions to which it has so long been subjected. 



Two such journals are now published monthly in Ger- 

 many, one of which has been in existence for more than 

 15 years — and their wide circulation has made thousands 

 well acquainted with those principles, which must constitute 

 the foundation of any enlightened and profitable system of 

 culture. 



The truth is that while many of the principal facts in the 

 physiology of the honey bee have long been familiar to 

 scientific observers, it has unfortunately happened that some 

 of the most important have been widely discredited. In 

 themselves they are so wonderful, and to those who have 



