PREFACE. 



In 1876, in response to a desire frequently expressed by 

 Biy apiarian friends, principally my students, I published an 

 edition of 3,000 copies of the little unpretending " Manual of 

 the Apiary." This was little more than the course of lectures 

 which I gave annually at the College. In less than two years 

 this was exhausted, and the second edition, enlarged, revised, 

 and much more fully illusisrated, was issued. So great was 

 the sale that in less than a year this was followed by the 

 third and fourth editions, and, in less than two years, 

 the fifth edition (seventh thousand) was issued. Each edition 

 has been enlarged and changed, to keep pace with our rapidly 

 advancing art. 



It is the desire and determination of both publishers and 

 author, to make this work the exponent of the most improved 

 apiculture ; and no pains will be spared, that each succeeding 

 edition may embody the latest improvements and discoveries 

 wrought out by the practical man and the scientist, as gleaned 

 from the excellent home and foreign apiarian and scientific 

 periodicals. • A. J. COOK. 



State Agricultwal College, Lansing, Mich. 



