Circular No. 69 



ELEMENTS OF BEEKEEPING 



By H. R. NISWONGER 



Beekeeping, as a rule, is not undertaken as a sole occupation, 

 but is usually carried on as a pleasure and a means of obtaining 

 a natural product which only the honey bee can produce. There 

 are, however, in many sections of Kentucky beekeepers who 

 make a good living by devoting all their time to the production 

 of honey. 



It may be said safely that any locality where farming, gar- 

 dening or fruit growing is followed, is also adapted to the 

 keeping of bees. The mountain sections of this State afford ex- 

 cellent opportunities for beekeeping, on account of the natural 

 growth of wild plants and native forest trees. 



Bees are not only profitable as honey producers, but are 

 also of great value to the orchardist and gardener as cross- 

 pollenizers of many friiits and vegetables, thereby increasing 

 their productiveness. 



It is desirable to start with a few colonies and to make the 

 bees pay for themselves; then to buy additional equipment and 

 gradually enlarge the apiary. There are many beekeepers who 

 possess only a few colonies and often these are left to shift for 

 themselves, but if they were rightly managed they could be 

 made a paying investment, considering the amount of capital 

 and time expended. 



