CONCLUSION. 263 
WINTER. 
If all requirements have been observed, bees will now 
need but little care. 
Attend to proper ventilation and temperature, as 
required by changes of the weather. 
Prepare hives, boxes, and other material for the com- 
ing season. 
Clean up and pack away boxes that are to be used 
the second time. 
Read and study out subjects of interest ; and be ready 
to begin the ensuing season’s work promptly, with an ade- 
quate comprehension of the extent of the business to be 
conducted, and a just appreciation of the details therein 
involved. 
CHAPTER XX. 
CONCLUSION. 
Those who have perused these pages with care will no- 
tice that I have not dwelt largely upon the most favorable 
aspects of our pursuit, but have endeavored to present 
all its phases in a candid and unbiased manner. Un- 
doubtedly the cause of many failures lies in the unwar- 
ranted anticipations of beginners. The extremes which 
are incident to the business make it impossible to test it 
fairly, with the experience of but one or two years. The 
united results of a series of years must be averaged in or- 
der to arrive at a proper estimate of profits. This being 
done, I conceive that it offers a fair prospect of reason- 
able remuneration for labor and capital invested, and is a 
calling which develops a healthy consciousness of “‘ earn- 
ing one’s bread by the sweat of the brow.” 
Although the amateur may not be able to keep bees on 
