BEE KEEPING IN THI) STATE. 23T 
BEE KEEPING IN MARYLAND. 
H. THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES. 
By Arruur H. McCray, D. V.M. 
Apicultural Assistant, Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Department of 
Agriculture, 
Beekeeping for profit has within comparatively recent years assumed 
such exactness of methods compared with former times, that discus- . 
sions of methods and appliances used in commercial bee keeping have 
followed quite naturally and are always in order for additional en- 
lightenment. It is not the aim of this paper to discuss the merits of 
any particular system of management but to give simple working di- 
rections for the establishment and maintenance of a comparatively 
small apiary. . 
The methods to be used in bee keeping are determined to a certain 
extent by locality, and consequently vary for different sections of the 
country. While it-is doubtless true that the importance of locality has 
been somewhat overestimated, it should not be ignored. This bulletin 
has been prepared particularly for the bee keepers of Maryland and 
the aim has been to make the directions and discussions herein giver, 
particularly applicable to Maryland conditions. 
As a rule, one should not start bee keeping except in a small way. 
The uncertaintities of securing a honey crop are many and varied. As 
examples of the causes of failure, the following may be cited: the 
failure of the honey flora to secrete nectar; the inability of the bees 
to gather the nectar when secreted, owing to unfavorable weather con- 
ditions ; the failure of the beginner to do the right thing at the right 
time; and last but not least the danger of losses from disease. 
From the above it will not be surprising to learn that many disasters 
have occurred with beginners in bee keeping. It is, of course, all the 
more deplorable if the first investment has been too large. The begin- 
ner with a moderate investment, is more apt to. recover from his early 
failures, than is one who has had too much at stake. Four or five 
hives are generally sufficient for the first season. These can be in- 
creased when the returns from the honey and wax are sufficient to pay 
, for additional empty hives and other equipment. It is a good plan for 
the beginner to make the bees pay for the increased equipment, and 
produce some profit in addition. Probably nine out of ten, who make 
a failure of bee keeping, try to manage too many colonies without pre- 
vious experience or knowledge. 
From the small bee keeper develops very often the specialist bee 
keeper, and the aim should. be to make better bee’ keepers of those 
already engaged in the industry rather than to increase the number. 
There is no reason, however, why every intelligent farmer should not 
keep a sufficient number of colonies of bees to furnish honey for his 
own use. 
Bee keeping is usually carried on in conjunction with some other 
