Bee Disease Control 21 



The Individual 



In beekeeping, as in all other occupations, success depends 

 upon the individual. Other factors enter into the problem to a 

 considerable extent, but the individual can control the other 

 factors and thus bring about success. To illustrate, should a 

 given locality not be well adapted to profitable production 

 because of a lack of nectar-secreting plants, or because the plants 

 produce an inferior nectar, the beekeeper can change his base 

 of operations. Should the usual supply of nectar from early 

 blooming plants fail, the beekeeper can move the bees to another 

 location in time to meet a honey flow from later blooming plants. 

 Should his stock of bees be below the average in productiveness, 

 a change can be easily and quickly made. 



It is readily seen then that any failure to secure profitable 

 returns is usually directly traceable to the individual. There 

 are no special qualifications necessary for success in beekeeping. 

 An interest in the business and a willingness to give the bees 

 every needed attention are the main requirements. 



Manipulations with bees must be properly timed, thus prompt- 

 ness is necessar}'. 



The successful beekeeper will not eagerly look forward to the 

 close of the day's work, but will often consider the coming of 

 darkness an undesirable interruption of his work. It is some- 

 times suggested that invalids may take up beekeeping. As an 

 avocation this is true, but as a business it cannot be recom- 

 mended for invalids. 



The Location 



Bees uninterfered with by man usually select some cavity 

 for a home, and if its protection is insufficient to preserve them 

 through the inactive season they perish. Likewise, 'if the 

 amount of pasture within their reach is insufficient for their 

 needs they perish. But when man undertakes the care of bees, 

 due regard must be had to provide the conditions which will 

 enable the bees not only to exist, but to accumulate the niaximum 

 amount of honey. The apiary should be located where the 

 natural flora produces an abundance of nectar of high market 

 value or where the farm crops usually grown are such that 



