THE APIARY. 67 



preference for, and a personal adaptation to, bee-keeping 

 as an occupation, tc be followed to the exclusion of all 

 others, we \^ould say that he cannot be too thoroughly 

 prepared, not only by reading, but by instruction in the 

 sciences related to the pursuit, and by practical training. 

 In other avocations it is considered necessary to serve 

 an apprenticeship in order to fit one to pursue them prof- 

 itably, and in no calling are preliminary study and prac- 

 tice more important than in bee-keeping as a profession. 

 Fortunately for those who would qualify themselves for 

 the pursuit, the State Agricultural College, Lansing, 

 Mich., offers special advantages. The department of 

 Entomology and the Apiary in that Institution is in 

 charge of Prof. A. J. Cook, a scientific Entomologist 

 and thorough Apiarian. But the great nuniber, who 

 must make bee-keeping a secondary matter, are not in 

 need of this thorough preparation, and to these it is hoped 

 that this work will prove a suflBcient guide. While it 

 aims to give the most approved apiarian practice, it is in- 

 tended to be so elementary in its teachings as to meet the 

 wants of the novice, as well as thos^ who have already 

 some experience in bee-keeping, and would learn its most 

 profitable methods. 



LOCATIOK. 



In selecting a site for an apiary, theje are many con- 

 siderations to be borne in mind, especially if bee-keeping 

 is to be the sole business. The question of very greatest 

 import is that of resources. Study the subject of the 

 best honey-yielding plants and trees, and be sure that you 

 locate within reach of some tolerably reliable source. 

 Another point of much interest is the general contour of 

 the country. To illustrate. I reside vn a valley where 

 Basswood begins to blossom about the Igth of July. If 

 the surrounding country were level, this bloom would last 

 but 12 or 15 days, but being at the foot of a hill, where 



