PREFACE. 



Many years ago, when the present writer was about to take 

 his first step in frame-hive management, he ,rea4 all the 

 available literature on the subject, without getting, much 

 practical information as to how he was to proceed in his 

 venture. He was told to put on the super, to feed his bees; 

 and above all to keep his stocks strong, but he was not 

 given practical instructions for carrying out these directions. 

 Since that time he has read and studied many works on 

 apiculture, and he hopes he will not be considered pre- 

 sumptuous when he says that he thinks he has learned 

 something as well, and as the result he ventures to express 

 the opinion that most writers on bee-keeping err in pre- 

 supposing a certain amount of knowledge of the subject on 

 the part of their readers. This may be all very well for 

 those who have had some little experience in working with 

 bees, or who have a friend able to assist them, but the 

 would-be bee-keeper who has neither is left to gather ex- 

 perience for himself, and this, it need hardly be said, is 

 sometimes dearly bought. 



The present work is written for those who are inexperienced 

 in a pursuit which, when intelligently followed, is not only 

 profitable, but which, to the business man, affords a pleasant 

 relaxation in the early mornings and evenings. 



The management of straw hives, or skeps, has not been 

 touched on, because the quantity of honey which can be 

 taken from them is very nstich smaller than from frame 

 hives, and also because the honfey is difficult to dispose of 

 except at such prices as would scarcely pay cost of carriage 

 to any large town in Ireland. 



