INTBODVCTION. 9 



proved in America, may bo said to most nearly 

 approach perfection. 



Then noting the loss of honey to the bee-keeper 

 when comb-building took place, inventive genius gave 

 the foundation mill, and sheets of wax with impres- 

 sions of worker cells to be rapidly converted by the 

 bees into perfect combs. 



For many years disease has, in England and in 

 other countries, decimated apiaries and made the 

 dread of infection a powerful deterrent to the spread 

 of apiculture. But scientific research has resulted 

 in bee-keepers becoming conversant with the origin, 

 propagation, prevention, and cure of the only disease 

 that need be feared. 



The strides that have been made in apicultural 

 knowledge have in great measure been due to those 

 who, by their writings and advocacy through the 

 British and affiliated Associations, have assisted in 

 making "Bee-keeping" what it now is, one of the 

 most important and not the least valuable of the 

 minor rural industries. In 1874 the late Mr. C. N. 

 Abbott started the first Bee-Journal, and plain and 

 earnest advocacy helped forward the work very 

 materially. With the establishment of the British 

 Bee-keepers' Association a very powerful means was 

 provided for doing good work, which, with the co- 

 operation of the affiliated Associations, has , been 

 energetically carried forward by all, from the Baroness 

 Burdett-Coutts, who presides over the central Associa- 

 tion, to the cottager who pays his Is. subscription.. 



By means of its great exhibitions, held annually in 

 connection with the Edyal Agricultural and other 



