8 ALEXANDER’S WRITINGS ON PRACTICAL BEE CULTURE 
moderate estimate of the profits from the business. There are those 
that are doing even better than that, as well as hundreds who are mak- 
ing but little. 
June, 1907. 
How that word “success” seems to fire our very souls with ambi- 
tion! and we again and again think our business over, each time trying 
to solve some new problem whereby we can add still more to our income 
and at the same time reduce our expenses. There are two things that 
always bring success—that is, good seed sown in fertile soil; and that 
law of cause and effect which predominates in all things, affects our 
business all the way through. There is no question that bee-keeping, 
if rightly done, is fertile soil; and it rests with you, my friend, to inform 
your mind and adopt methods whereby you will become good seed to 
develop in that soil. 
You undoubtedly have had experience enough to know whether you 
like bee-keeping or not. If not, then sell out and take up something 
else; but if you like the business, then “Stand not upon the act of your 
going, but go at once” with a determination to succeed. Work at it by 
day, and think of it by night. Aim high, and use all the skill you can 
command to make it a success; get bees of the best honey-gathering 
strain you can find, for honey is what you are working for; let all 
other things be secondary to that. If they sting, make the best of it. 
If they swarm too much, try to curtail it; but get the bees that will 
gather honey by the ton; then you will be on the main road to suc- 
cess, 
THE DIFFERENCE IN COLONIES. 
There is as much difference in the amount of honey that different 
colonies will produce as there is in the amount of butter that different 
cows will make; so don’t waste your time on any poor stock. When 
you have the best, give them good care and you will be surprised at 
the results. Look upon every colony as you would an individual whom 
you had hired; then see that each one contributes its part toward pro- 
ducing a fine surplus. 
After you once get your colonies strong in bees, keep them so dur- 
ing the whole year. This can be accomplished to a great extent by 
keeping only good young well-developed queens. See to it that they con- 
tinue to breed well into the fall. This can be done by a little feeding. 
WHEN TO PUT IN AND WHEN TO TAKE OUT OF WINTER QUARTERS. 
In this cold climate I would advise putting them in their winter- 
quarters about the first of November before they have lost many bees 
by hard freezing weather. As a general thing I think waiting for a 
chance to fly in November is a bad practice. If you winter in a cellar, 
and can keep the temperature about 45, it makes but little difference 
