66 THE APIARY. 
BEST SEASON FOR HONEY. 
The inquiry is often made, ‘“‘ Which is best for bees, 
a wet or dry season?” I have studied this point 
very closely, and have found that a medium between the 
two extremes produces the most honey. When farmers 
begin to express fears of a drouth, then is the time, if 
in the season of flowers, that most honey is usually ob- 
tained, but if dry weather is much protracted, the quan- 
tity is greatly diminished. Of the two extremes, a very 
wet season is much the worst. 
This latter is evident from the fact that much rain in- 
jures the honey, by diluting it, as well as preventing the 
bees from gathering as much ; whereas, when the weather 
is moderately dry, the bees are at liberty to work freely, 
and the honey is evaporated, instead of diluted, improv- 
ing the quality, and rendering it much more desirable for 
immediate sealing up. There is no question but the value 
of honey is much affected by these circumstances, unless 
properly cured. The weight of extracted honey will vary 
to the extent of over 1 Ib. to the gallon, according to 
the variation in the season. 
CHAPTER IV. 
THE APIARY. 
THE PREPARATION NEEDED. 
If one proposes to make bee-keeping his life-pursuit, 
he will need very different preliminary instruction from 
one who, as nearly every farmer may well do, proposes to 
follow it as an adjunct to other occupation, or the ama- 
teur, who would keep a few hives for his instruction and 
amusement. To cne, especially a young man, who feels a 
