PREFACB. 



carded even by their inventor. Reversible hives were the craze, 

 and were praised in evcr3' way. We ga^'e two of them a 

 mention in our pages, with a warning against their use. Re- 

 versible hives are now almost entirely abandoned. 



We recommend the large hives, yet we know they are not 

 popular, because buyers want inexpensive hives. We ha^•e 

 bowed before public wishes and give descriptions of several 

 popular hives which are certainly successful. But we use 

 large hives ourselves, for we consider them the best. 



In our preface of the first revision we extended our ttianks 

 to Mr. C. F. Muth, now deceased, and to Miss Favard, for 

 their help in our work. The writer has undertaken this last 

 revision alone, but owes gratitude for sound advice on many 

 points to a man who has to do with both practice and theory 

 and whose long experience entitles him to the consideration of 

 all bee-keepers. Doctor C. C. Miller, author of "A Year Among 

 the Bees" and "Forty Years Among the Bees." Dr. Miller, 

 with small hives, enlarged at the proper time and again re- 

 duced in the brood chamber for the honey crop, has shown 

 what could be done with intelligent and energetic manage- 

 ment. He is not only a successful writer but a most extensive 

 producer of comb honey, and is justly entitled to the name 

 given him of the "Nestor of American Bee-Keeping." 



The work of Father Langstroth, sustained in Europe by the 

 pen of the Senior Dadant, has entirely changed European 

 methods of bee-culture. The improved hive, based upon the 

 Langstroth system, has been adopted all over the world, and 

 testimonials come to us from the most remote countries show- 

 ing that the methods taught have proven successful. 



The best half-tones in this edition are due to the work of 

 the "'Globe Engraving Company" of Chicago. 



C. P. Dadant. 



Hamilton, Illinois, June, 1906. 



