202 ADVANCED BEE CULTURE. 



N CONCLUSION let me say that the writing of this book has 

 been largely a labor of love, of hope, of a desire to benefit bee- 

 keepers; to arouse, encourage and inspire them, and lead them 

 to adopt better methods. 



I wish them to have broader views of their occupation, to look 

 upon it as a business^ to stop "fussing"' with a few bees, to get rid 

 of other hampering pursuits, to branch out and keep enough bees to 

 employ all of their time, energy and capital. 



No more ennobling pursuit exists than that of bee-keeping. It is 

 the poetry of agriculture. It is uplifting and inspiring, health-giv- 

 ing and useful, fascinating and profitable. It improves the mind, 

 trains the eye and hand, cheers the heart, and tills the pocket book. 

 Knowing all this as I do, it pains me beyond expression to see it 

 maligned and belittled, to hear it called a precarious and uncertain 

 pursuit, one that must be tacked on to the tail of something else, 

 when I Imovj that, rightly managed as a specialty, there is no rural 

 pursuit more safe, pleasant and reliable. 



If this book does no more than to show the possibilities of ad- 

 vanced bee culture, if it only succeeds in giving the doubting Thomas 

 courage and faith to rid himself of all encumbrances, and then press 

 on to success with bees alone, if it helps to change bee-keeping from 

 a hap hazard, happy-go-lucky side-issue to the dignity of a reliable 

 business, it will not have lived in vain. 



Reader, the time has come to say good bye. To me it seems 

 like parting from a dear friend; and, in closing, let me say that I 

 would be delighted, at any time, to receive criticisms, suggestions or 

 queries regarding any of the topics mentioned in this book. 



