THE 



COTTAGE AND FARM BEE KEEPER. 



T 



CHAPTER I. 



PRELIMINARY NOTICES, RECOMMENDATORY OF COTTAGE AND 

 AMATEUR BEE KEEPING/. 



H Hi history of this volume — how and why it came to be written — I 

 -L may perhaps be allowed to state in a few words. When I first settled 

 down in an agricultural district, having long been passionately addicted 

 to the study of bees, but chiefly as a recreative pursuit, I turned my 

 attention to the subject anew, with a more practical intent, as I began 

 to view in it one means, among others, of improving the condition, 

 both financial and moral, of the surrounding peasantry, many of whom 

 were suffering greatly under the pressure of the times. The vicinage, 

 as affording bee pasturage, had ever been considered remarkably good ; 

 and the honey of the district, too, was much esteemed. The culture 

 of bees itself, however, was almost in its lowest condition, at least 

 amongst the poor. I argued to myself, therefore, that if only half-a- 

 dozen families could be permanently benefited by my instruction and 

 encouragement, it would amply repay me for any trouble I might 

 'incur. To lose no time, I at once established a second apiary of my 

 own, in the management of which I hope to acquire such sound addi- 

 tional knowledge of bee- matters, as should qualify me to act as a 

 pioneer, and ultimately to become the propounder, of a better system 

 than that which prevailed around me ; nor was it long before I felt 

 myself in a position to start my plan of cottage bee encouragement. 

 At the same time, I sought other aid in the published treatises of older 

 and more experienced bee keepers, some of whom I knew had en- 

 deavored to write for the benefit of the poor. But seek as I might, 1 



