84 THE APIAKT. 



closed, and if there is a hole in front, and the hive is 

 standing near the ground, they may be turned bottom up, 

 and a board set slanting from the ground to the entrance, 

 for the bees to pass in and out. The muslin or wire-cloth 

 may then be put on, and the cap, if any, placed over it, 

 and the usual roof replaced, until they stop flying at 

 night, when the hole at the side should be closed. If 

 there is no hole in front, bore one for the purpose. I 

 often put up large numbers during the day, and move 

 them in the evening or in the following day. 



When the bees are brought to the home apiary, they 

 should be smoked to drive them from the wire-cloth, the 

 latter removed, and the hive placed upon the stand it is 

 to occupy. 



TAKING BEES OS SHAKES. 



In managing bees for other parties, as well as in fur- 

 nishing them to those who wished to care for them, we 

 have usually been governed by the following rule : One 

 party furnishes all the bees, and the other does all the 

 work. All expenses for new material, etc., are shared 

 equally ; and the receipts, including the increase, are 

 equally divided. The ownership of the original colonies 

 is unchanged. 



FINANCIAL RESULTS. 



This is a topic upon which I shall differ widely from 

 many who have represenbed the interests of bee-keeping. 

 I desire to say very emphatically, that from a thorough 

 knowledge of the business, I must disapprove of the 

 position taken by some in their statements as to the ex- 

 traordinary returns that may be expected. 



A comparison of bee-keeping with otiier avocations, 

 farming, for instance, will, I think, show a balance of 

 profit in favor of the former. Upon an investment of 

 $1,000 in bees, I should anticipate, with the same amount 



