CONCLUSION. 137 
demning or recommending any one system of bee man- 
agement or hive. I only wish to present facts, and do 
what little I can to make bee-keeping safe and profitable 
to all who engage in it. There is much written on the 
subject of bees—their habits and management, construc- 
tion of hives, etc., which is mere guess work. A great 
deal is written, too, for no other than selfish or prejudiced 
motives. What is wanted is practical instructions on the 
subject—such instruction and statements as are based on 
experience, and will stand the test of application, when 
brought into active every day use. 
The real, practical experience of the bee keeper, who 
has devoted many years to the work, and will tell what 
has come under his or her personal observation, is worth 
much more than the finest spun theory of the most learned 
and talented theorist; or in other words, mere conjecture 
is a poor and uncertain guide in bee keeping. It is an 
old but true saying that “Practice makes Perfect.” In 
no business will this saying apply more closely or with 
greater force than to bee keeping. 
That bees are profitable when rightly managed, I 
think I have shown in this little work ; and that they can 
be of no profit, as often managed, I think is equally 
made clear. 
The natural habits of bees have not been sufficiently 
understood by the majority of bee keepers. This has 
rendered them an easy prey to the many speculators in 
bee hives of peculiar shape and construction, who are 
constantly urging their claims to possessing great know- 
9 
