20 



Become a Skilled 

 Workman. 



If you are handi- 

 capped for un- 

 skilled labor, be- 

 come a skilled 

 worker. Nothing 

 perhaps can be 

 aons for you to 

 make you fit for 

 unsldlled labor, 

 but there are a 

 sreat many things 

 that can be done 

 for you to make 

 you lit for skilled 

 labor. You ask, 

 How? The answer 

 i^ by training from 

 the neck up. The 

 opportunity is 

 given you to make 

 the most of your 

 natural capacities 

 and of your past 

 experience in the 

 development of 

 skill in the occu- 

 pation for which 

 von are found to 

 be best fitted. 



Other Branches of Agriculture as Side Lines to Beekeeping. 



It is quite possible to combine beekeeping with other branches cf 

 agriculture, provided they do not necessitate much attention at the 

 time when the bees require every care and thought of the beekeeper. 

 General farming and beekeeping do not combine well, for the reason 

 that swarming usually comes at a season when the farmer is busily 

 engaged with his cropping. However, you might, as a bee specialist, 

 form a, business combination with the farmer and develop a paying 

 apiary, and also give attention to some useful side lines. Gardening, 

 fruits, poultry, Belgian hares, flowers, etc., combine profitably "ndth 

 beekeeping, but before engaging in any combinations, careful inquiry 

 should be made of sviccessful beekeepers of the region regarding the 

 time of the principal lioney flows. Information should be obtained 

 also from persons following the suggested side lines as to when these 

 occupations require most attention. This will enable one to determine 

 the best combination to adopt. The beekeeper who neglects his bees 

 during swarming time, or when nectar is coming in freely, may expect 

 to lose fully nine-tenths of the crop. Honey, like hay, must be made 

 while the sun shines. Side lines must not interfere with the apiarist 

 being ready, with colonies strong, when the sun shines sufficiently to 

 cause honey plants to bloom and nectar to flow freely. 



Fig. 18.— Queen cells built for swarming on a comb that was spaced too far fiom its 



neighbor. 



^lany garden crops may be grown and small truck farming may be 

 followed on areas located in close proximity to the apiary. Crops should 

 be selected that will require the least amount of time when the apiarist 

 is busiest with the bees. The tomato, greatly in demand for canning 

 supply, does not materially interfere in its planting, cultivation, or 

 har\-est -ndth the principal honey season. 



