58 BEES FOE PLUASUKE AND PROFIT. 



It will be seen above that I have not taken into account the 

 cost of the three hives, thq feeders, and travelling boxes (one of 

 which between every three stocks will be enough) ; but as all 

 these should last for ten years at least, we need only take 

 a tenth part of their value, as below, which amounts to is. 



& s. d. 



3 hives at 10s. each . . . . . 1 10 



1 rapid feeder 3 



3 slow bottle feeders 2 



1 travelling box 5 



Total £2 



Therefore the total expense will be the tenth part of £2 

 (viz., 4s.) added to £1 lis., which amounts to ^1 15s. 



Of course where the apiarist makes his own hives this 

 amount will be somewhat reduced, but for this method of 

 increase the very utmost economy is necessary to make it a 

 financial success. The three stocks of bees sold in the spring 

 for 15s. apiece would amount to ^2 5s. for the lot, or a profit 

 of 10s. 



Begin with one Stock. 



Of course considerably more than 15s. a stock can often be 

 obtained; but, as experience and economy are indispensable, 

 I advise every one to begin with one hive^ and if this one, 

 worked for increase by the method just detailed, should 

 prove profitable, then tO work more on the same Hnes the 

 foUpwing year. 



Artificial Methods of Increase. 



Although the foregoing method of increase is probably the 

 best in every way for the novice, when the bee-keeper has 

 gained experience he may find a wholly artificial method the 

 most desirable, yielding the largest profit at the smallest cost ; 

 but let it be clearly understood that experience is quite a 

 desideratum, and that a novice is almost certain to make a 

 hopeless failure by attempting too much before he has 

 acquired the experience requisite to make the method of arti- 

 ficial increase, now to be detailed, a success ; for by it the 

 stock is divided into very small parts, and in making up these 

 nuclei the tyro, who has had no experience, is likely to put in 



