HIVES. 41 



the fertilizing pollen and the pistil springs from a cup 

 of liquid nectar, imparting to each passing breeze 

 delicious fragrance, inviting the bee as with a thousand 

 tongues to the sumptuous banquet. She does not 

 need an artificial stimulus from man, as an induce- 

 ment to partake of the feast ; without his aid or as- 

 sistance she visits each wasting cup of sweetness, and 

 secures the tiny drop, while the superabundant farina, 

 dislodged from the nodding anthers, covers her body, 

 to be brushed together and kneaded into bread. All 

 she requires at the hands of man, is a suitable store- 

 house for her treasures. In good seasons, her nature 

 will prompt the gathering for. her own use an over 

 supply. This surplus man may appropriate to his own 

 use, without detriment to his bees, providing his 

 management is in accordance with their nature. 



PROFIT THE OBJECT. 



To give the bees all necessary advantages, and ob- 

 tain the greatest possible amount of profit, with the 

 least possible expense, has been my study for years. 

 I might keep a few stocks for amusement, even if it 

 was attended with no dollar and cent profit, but the 

 number would be- very small ; I will honestly confess 

 then, that profit is the actuating principle with me. 

 I have a strong suspicion that the majority of readers 

 have similar motives. I am sure, then, tnat all of us 

 with these views, will consider it a pity, when a stock 

 produces five dollars worth of surplus honey, to be 

 . obliged to pay three or four of it for patent and other 

 useless fixings. 



