and its Economic Management. 15 



some friend or other apiarist of experience, if possible, to over- 

 haul the stock you wish to purchase, and be guided by him as 

 to its value. In the absence of friendly advice, you cannot 

 do better than buy a first swarm from some cottage bee- 

 keeper. Obtain your hives from a well-known maker, and so 

 get them correct in measurement ; otherwise your expected 

 pleasure will be somewhat marred, and your manipulations 

 sadly complicated. 



While the number who may be capable of making bee- 

 keeping their main occupation,' will be limited, almost every- 

 one can keep a few colonies at great advantage to health, 

 and at the same time make them pay their own way. Even 

 the scientist need not go to any great expense over his inves- 

 tigations, as with ordinary care his bees can be made to 

 retiurn all the money he may require to lay out for such pur- 

 poses. 



The cry of " over-production " is but a false alarm, and we 

 need not fear, however many become honey -producers in our 

 generation. No genuine article of food will long want for a 

 customer, if only it is presented in an attractive manner at a 

 reasonable rate. There are many ways in which honey may 

 be utilised, not only as food and medicine, but also for a num- 

 ber of manufacturing purposes ; and while the fact that many 

 Others will continue"to enter into the occupation, may cause 

 reduced prices, the value of honey will become more generally 

 known, to the advantage of all concerned. 



