United States. From the Alexander apiary, when the fields are in bloom, 

 one can see from twenty to thirty white patches down in the valley and on 

 the hills, to which the bees are streaming in countless thousands. Then 

 the locality is remarkable for the large number of asters which possibly 

 furnish almost as much nectar as the buckwheat itself. 



While the white-honey harvest along in June and July can not be con- 

 sidered anything remarkable, yet when this is supplemented by the buck- 

 wheat and aster bloom one can form some idea of the possibilities from 

 keeping so many colonies in one locality. 



These writings are not published in their chronological order, but, 

 rather, have been rearranged with the view of having one article gradually 

 lead up to another. For instance, we selected the first article, "Taking 

 up Bee-keeping as a Business." While this was written toward the latter 

 end of the series, it served as an excellent introductory to that which fol- 

 lows; for it gives one an idea of the possibilities of the business from the 

 standpoint of one who has had so large an experience. The next article 

 deals with what constitutes a good locality; and so there will be found clear 

 through a harmony of plan and method. 



The beginner should not lose sight of the fact that Mr. Alexander did 

 things in a large way. Some methods that are practical on a big scale 

 would not be adaptable to the management of bees in a small way; but 

 nevertheless it will pay any beginner to go over each article very carefully, 

 for he will find he can pick out a large number of valuable hints which 

 will be useful in making dollars off his bees. 



It may be interesting to note that nearly one thousand copies of this 

 little volume were sold before it was ready for delivery from the press. 

 This large scale of matter that has been published once, shows in what 

 high esteem bee-keepers all over the country held this Gamaliel of beedom. 

 We may well sit at his feet and learn. 



Medina, Ohio, March 25, 1909. E. R. Root. 



