PREFACE. 



In 1876, in response to a desire frequently expressed by 

 my apiarian friends, principally my students, I published an 

 edition of 3,000 copies of the little unpretending "Manual 

 of the Apiary." This was little more than the course of 

 lectures which I gave annually at the College. In less than 

 two years this was exhausted, and the second edition, 

 enlarged, revised, and much more fully illustrated, was 

 issued. So great was the sale that in less than a year this 

 was followed by the third and fourth editions, and, in les? 

 than two years, the fifth edition (seventh thousand) wa! 

 issued. 



In each of the two following years, another edition war 

 demanded. In each of tl;iese editions the book has beer 

 enlarged, changes made and illustrations added, that the 

 work might keep pace with our rapidly advancing art. 



So great has been the demand for this work, not only at 

 home and in Europe, but even in more distant lands, and 

 so great has been the progress of apiculture — so changed 

 the views and methods of our best bee-keepers, that the 

 author feels warranted in thoroughly revising and entirely 

 recasting this eighth edition (tenth thousand ). Not only is 

 the work re-written, but much new matter, and many new 

 and costly illustrations are added. 



The above I quote directly from the preface of the eighth 

 edition, published in 1883. Since then four editions have 

 appeared, each revised as the progress of the art required. 



In electrotyping the eighth edition, through an accident 



