6 THE COTTAGE AND FARM BEE KEEPER. 



thousand are the casualties to be feared in this fitful climate, with 

 which the more fortunate bee keeper of other countries is happily un- 

 acquainted. Say then, whether it is reasonable to expect success in 

 the face of these difficulties, where a considerable skill and much per- 

 severing watchfulness are not present to meet and counteract them ? 

 To be successful in bee-keeping, there must be a sufficient experience 

 in bee management, whether derived from a practical acquaintance 

 with the subject, or from a diligent study of the best manuals of instruc- 

 tion in the matter ; it is requisite to be thoroughly initiated in the 

 mysteries of judicious feeding, and to understand somewhat of that 

 improved system of bee culture, by whose means the great honey har- 

 vests are secured at those rare but favored seasons when they occur, 

 and the most is made of indifferent years; while at the same time the 

 acquisitive propensity is kept duly in check, so that if much is taken 

 as legitimate spoil, enough shall still be left to support the prosperity of 

 the hive. Difficult, however, as unquestionably is the science of bee- 

 keeping, it is not beyond the reach of attentive perseverance; and 

 the very difficulties, as in most cases, only serve to enhance the pleas- 

 sure and gratification of the patient bee master. It has been judi- 

 ciously observed, that "no one who pays a fair amount of attention to 

 the management of those very interesting insects will willingly relin- 

 quish the keeping of them.'' Carelessness and indifference alone find 

 the difficulties to which I have alluded insurmountable, and I take leave 

 to say they deserve to do so. 



