and its Economic Management. ii 



own comparisons, and be more certain of what he is about ; 

 and I do not, by any means, intend the estimated returns to 

 be taken as implying a certainty. 



Dear reader, throughout these pages will be found my 

 utmost desire to save you from the mistakes made in the past 

 by myself and many others. Experience is of course the 

 best teacher, and its lessons nearly always leave on record 

 instances, of failure, of a more or less serious nature, which 

 has to be met before final success can be ensured. Experience 

 thiis Raised is of value to others starting out upon the same 

 course, just in proportion to their willingness to be guided 

 by the advice given. Right here I must insist upon 



One Point of the Greatest Importance. 



When you have decided to make a start upon a large scale, 

 purchase your bees, in one lot if possible, about the middle of 

 April, and have them removed to your own place at once. I 

 do not contemplate that the transaction will take place at any 

 other time, and can certainly give no advice for obtaining 

 them at another date, where the highest possible returns are 

 desired from the first season's work. If you begin earlier or 

 later, earlier in particular, the first great mistake is made, and 

 very likely one which will be the cause of ultimate failure. 



Bees moved in April 



undergo just that condition of excitement which induces 

 healthy activity at exactly the right time ; the queens become 

 equally energetic under the consequent stimulation ; and better 

 progress is made than if they had not been disturbed. If 

 moved in February or March the same excitement causes the 

 loss of thousands of the older bees, through flying for what 

 they cannot obtain at that early date : the large patches of 

 brood lose the warmth hitherto afforded by such workers, and 



