PARTI 



Introduction 



BEE-KEEPING AS A BUSINESS. 



When our attention Is called to some new line of business, usually our 

 first thoughts are, "How much money can I make out of it?" or, "How 

 many dollars can be made annually clear of all expenses from a given 

 amount of capital invested?" While I will admit that these are questions 

 of much importance — questions worthy of due consideration — there is still 

 one question which is of paramount importance above all others, which, I 

 am sorry to say, we seldom think of. That is, "Am I naturally qualified 

 for that line of business? If so, then I have the principal requirement 

 to success; if not, then no amount of study or hard labor can fully take 

 the place of my inability to fulfill its requirements." Oh how many of us 

 spend our whole lives like water seeking its level, and never find the 

 business that God fitted us best to follow! My young friend, if you have 

 any thoughts of taking up bee-keeping as a business, then think this 

 subject over carefully before you invest much money. My advice would 

 be to work one summer, at least, for some successful honey-producer — 

 one who would take pains to teach you all he could in regard to rearing 

 queens, forming nuclei, increasing colonies, wintering, and producing 

 honey — yes, and a thousand and one little things which only experience 

 can teach. In this way you could be earning your board and fair wages 

 while learning your business. 



In regard to the amount of money that can be made from bee-keep- 

 ing, it is like all other rural pursuits — It depends to a great extent on the 

 season. It is no get-rich-quick business; still, if rightly followed, it will 

 give as good returns one year with another as any business of a rural 

 nature, considering the amount of capital invested and labor required. 

 About five dollars per colony, spring count, clear of all expenses, is a 

 moderate estimate of the profit from the business — that is, if run wholly 

 for the production of honey without any special care to see what might 

 be accomplished; but if run by an expert on high-grade methods, then 

 15 or 20 dollars per colony can frequently be made. 



Here is where the specialist has a great advantage over the man who 

 divides his capital and time Into two or more channels. These men soon 

 find that they have twice or three times the trouble to contend with, and 

 only a third or a half the capital to use in making a success of any one 

 of the several lines they have taken up; but the lack of necessary capital 

 is only a small factor, for that can be got at the bank. But the necessary 

 intellect, business capacity, and experience can not be borrowed, and 



