INTRODUCTION 



WHO MAY KEEP BEES. 



SPECIALISTS. 



Any person who is cautious, observing, and prompt to do 

 whatever the needs of his "business require, with no thought 

 of delay, may make apiculture a specialty, with almost cer- 

 tain prospects of success. He must also be willing to work 

 with Spartan energy during the busy season, and must persist, 

 though sore discouragement, and even dire misfortune, 

 essay to thwart his plans and rob him of his coveted gains. 

 As in all other vocations, such are the men who succeed in 

 apiculture. I make no mention of capital to begin with, or 

 territory on which to locate ; for men of true metal — men 

 whose energy of mind and body bespeak success in advance 

 — ^will solve these questions long before their experience and 

 knowledge warrant their assuming the charge of large apiaries. 



AMATEURS. 



Apiculture, as an avocation, may be safely recommended 

 to those of any business or profession, who possess the above 

 named qualities, and control a little space for their bees, a few 

 rods from street and neighbor, or a flat roof whereupon hives 

 may securely rest (C. F. Muth, of Cincinnati, keeps his bees 

 very successfully on the top of his store, in the very heart of 

 a large city), and who are able to devote' a little time, when 

 required, to care for their bees. The amount of time will 

 of course vary with the number of colonies kept, but with 

 proper management this time may be, granted at any period of 

 the day or week, and thus not interfere with the regular busi- 

 ness. Thus residents of country, village, or city, male or 

 female, who may wish to be associated with and study natural 

 objects, and add to their income and pleasure, will find here 

 an ever-waiting opportunity. To the ladies, shut out from 

 fresh air and sunshine, till pallor and languor point sadly to 



