vi PREFACE. 



be of far greater value to all interested than the cost 

 of the journal for many years to come." 



Bread is the first consideration of man. After food 

 and clothing are obtained, he may seek recreation, 

 music, society, knowledge, or anything else lawful. 

 So in bee-keeping we reckon the question of profit is 

 of first importance. Stings do not seem half so pain- 

 ful to the man whose annual proceeds of bee-keeping 

 amount to £10, or £20, or £50. 



But in addition to the profits of bees, there is a 

 fund of interest and enjoyment derived from keeping 

 them, uplifting in its nature and tendencies. One of 

 the most pleasing sights on earth is that of a son of 

 toil, after the labour of the day is done, taking a child 

 in his hand, and going to see his pig, or cow, or bee- 

 hive in his garden. Who has not seen hundreds of 

 working men blessed and charmed beyond description 

 in attending to their bees and cows ? Such men are 

 superior to the low vulgarities of the public-house, 

 and superior in every sense to those who waste their 

 time and strength in drinking. We hold that all em- 

 ployers of labour would do well to encourage their 

 servants to spend their leisure hours in a profitable 

 way. In country places and villages the gift of a few 

 swarms of bees to deserving servants, and a practical 

 treatise on their management, might become a source 

 of perennial income and pleasure to them, and be, in 

 fact, a greater boon and benefaction than a row of 

 cottages d la Peabody. 



The author, who is a working man himself, humbly 

 greet^ working men on the completion of this work. 



