2 BEEKEEPING IN TASMANIA. 
could manage profitably without assistance. In giving figures of returns from bee- 
keeping, care should be taken that the sources of information are reliable, or 4 
false estimate may easily be made. Two examples of what has been done are here 
given, as an indication of what is possible. Mr. keeps a number of hives 
as a side-line to farming, and during the last five years has averaged rather more 
than the amount stated above. He would probably have done much better than 
this if he could have had a little assistance at the right time, but is well satisfied 
so far. Mr. , during the last six to eight years, has obtained from £90 to 
£220, an average of about £150 per annum, working the bees along with another 
business, and values his apiary, with plant to work same, now at close to £500; 
running from a little under 100 colonies eight years ago to 180 colonies the present 
season. Referring to the almost certainty of reasonable returns, the writer has 
kept bees in the modern style and with modern methods for 35 years, and during 
that time has only once experienced a failure to obtain a payable return, and! 
against that could be placed’ five or six seasons of really good returns. 
Beekeeping, if adopted as a calling by one having an aptitude and real love 
of it,’ combined with good business methods, is a reasonably profitable one, and 
becomes a very fascinating occupation. If carried on in connection with some 
other form of rural industry, such as fruitgrowing, poultry farming, &c., it is a 
valuable side issue, and even if carried on as a hobby it is highly interesting. 
Bee culture is, above all else, a healthy outdoor occupation, and not of an 
especially laborious kind, to which many might turn with whom an indoor occu- 
pation does not agree, or who do not possess the physical strength to engage in a 
more laborious occupation. 
Beekeeping has an advantage over most other rural occupations, in that there 
are several months of the year in which practically there is nothing: to be done, 
and the beekeeper can turn his attention to other branches of industry entirely. 
For the purposes of becoming conversant with the. habits of bees, to.get some 
practice in handling, and confidence, beekeeping may be commenced almost any- 
where, but when taken: up as a business a suitable site should, if possible, be secured. 
_In selecting a site consideration should be given to at least two main factors; namely, 
the amount and variety of honey-producing flora within a radius of from 2 to 3 
miles of the site chosen for the apiary. 
The permanence of the flora is, however, the most important consideration, 
and, with most other industries, water is an important item, as bees, like all forms 
of animal life, require a constant supply of water; and it would probably surprise 
many people the quantity 50 to 100 colonies of bees can dispose of. 
Sire or APiaRy. 
Though hives can be placed almost anywhere (even on the roofs of buildings in 
cities), it is best to have them on the ground—an even, gently-sloping surface of 
gravelly or sandy soil for preference—sheltered if possible from the cold windy 
side by artificial or natural means, and sloping to the east or north. Details of 
this nature must be left somewhat to circumstances. 
If a honey house is built on purpose for the apiary, it is best put at the kh 
end of the apiary, as a better view of the yard can be obtained, el the ettering 
of heavy supers of combs would be down-hill. It is not advisable to place tthe Hives 
right under evergreen trees, such as pines or eucalypts. Colonies in permanent] 
shaded: hives do not thrive well, but if convenient they could with advantage ra 
placed under deciduous trees. They would then have shade i 
the benefits of sunshine in winter. Hy Senanehs aad. baw 
When laying out the apiary, if the lay of the ground permits, th, 
would be better than single rows, as in groups of three 2 four jhiay group arn 
