26 THE bbB-keepbr's Guide ; 



and others. Many of the pages and many of the finest illus- 

 trations are taken bodily, and, we are pained to say, with no 

 credit. As we should expect, the work is not as reliable as the 

 smaller work of Mr. Cowan. Price, fS.50. 



As practical guides, I do not think the foreign works supe- 

 rior to our own. Indeed, I think the beginner would profit 

 most by studying our American books. The advanced bee- 

 keeper will gain much in discipline and knowledge by a care- 

 ful reading of the foreign works on bee-keeping. Foreign sci- 

 entists, especially the Germans, are at the head, but no nation 

 is quicker to discern the practical bearing and utilize the facts 

 and discoveries in science than are Americans. The Germans 

 had hardly shown how centrifugal force could be used to sepa- 

 rate honey from the comb before the Americans had given us 

 our beautiful extractors. The same is true of comb-foundation 

 machines. The Germans pointed out the true nature of " foul 

 brood," and discovered the germicides for its cure, yet I believe 

 ten times as many Americans as foreigners profit by this 

 knowledge. 



PROMPTITUDE. 



Another absolute requirement of successful bee-keeping is 

 prompt attention to all its varied duties. Neglect is the rock 

 on which many bee-keepers, especially farmers, find too often 

 they have wrecked their success. I have no doubt that more 

 colonies die from starvation than from all the bee-maladies 

 known to the bee-keeper. And why is this ? Neglect is the 

 apicide. I feel sure that the loss each season by absconding 

 colonies is almost incalculable, and what must we blame ? 

 Neglect. The loss every summer by enforced idleness of 

 queen and workers, just because room is denied them, is very 

 great. Who is the guilty party ? Plainly, Neglect. If we 

 would be successful, Promptitude must be our motto. Each 

 colony of bees requires but very little care and attention. Our 

 every interest requires that this be not denied, nor even 

 granted grudgingly. The very fact that this attention is 

 slight, renders it more liable to be neglected ; but this neglect 

 always involves loss — often disaster. True, with thought and 

 management the time for this care can be arranged at pleasure 

 and the amount greatly lessened, but the care must never be 

 neglected. 



