16 THB bee-kbepbr's guide ; 



well-stocked farm, commenced bee-keeping- more to interest 

 his boys than aught else. He has met very little loss in win- 

 tering — for years together none at all. For three successive 

 years his sixty colonies of bees gave him more profits than all 

 the balance of his farm. As he said at one of the Michigan 

 State Conventions : "I find my bees the pleasantest and most 

 profitable part of my farm." He added the surprising remark, 

 "Nothing on my farm bears neglect better than my bees." I 

 might add that neglect is rarely seen on his farm. 



Adam Grimm, James Heddon, G. M. Doolittle, E. J. Oat- 

 man, and many others, have made much money in this pursuit. 

 Mr. Hetherington keeps thousands of colonies of bees, and has 

 received over $10,000 cash receipts in a single year. Mr. Clute, 

 an able clergyman, has often received more money from his 

 bees than from his salary as a preacher. All over our country 

 men are gaining a livelihood in this industry, and often earn- 

 ing as much more in other pursuits. The opportunity to make 

 money, even with hardships and privations, is attractive and 

 seldom disregarded. What shall we say then of this oppor- 

 tunity, if the labor which it involves, brings in itself healthful 

 recreation and constant delight ? Dr. C. C. Miller gave up a 

 $2500 salary to engage in bee-keeping. Though a specialist, 

 and though his profits some years, owing to the drouth, are 

 nothing, yet he is contented with the business, and has no idea 

 of changing for any other. 



excei,i.enck as an amateur pursuit. 



After twenty years of experience, I am persuaded that no 

 business offers more as an avocation. Indeed, I think bee- 

 keeping may ofttimes best serve as a second business. We 

 have already seen that bees are a blessing, and I would have 

 every person, whatever his leading business, keep a few colo- 

 nies of bees, unless by taste, nature or temperament, he be 

 unfitted for the work. Bee-keeping offers additional funds to 

 the poorly paid ; outdoor air to clerk and office-hand ; healthful 

 exercise to the person of sedentary habits, opportunity for the 

 poor to reap what would otherwise go to waste, and superior 

 recreation to the student, teacher and professional man, espe- 

 cially to him whose life-work is of that dull, hum-drum, rou- 

 tine order that seems to rob life of all zest. 



