104 THE APTAEr. 



only in the aggregate that its importance is manifest. The 

 bee is small, the load of honey brought home by it, is still 

 less, and the quantity secreted in the nectary of each flower, 

 still more minute. The patient bee obtains but a tiny drop 

 from each, but by perseverance, procures a load and de- 

 posits it in the hive. It is only in the accumulation of such 

 that we find an object worthy of our notice. We are thus 

 taught to look to little things, and the manner in which 

 they are multiplied and preserved. It is much better to 

 save our bees, than to waste them, and wait for others to 

 be raised. "A penny saved is two pence earned." If a 

 stock is lost by a little neglect, a corresponding efi'ort is 

 only necessary to save it. This trifling attention is some- 

 times neglected through indolence. But I hope for better 

 things generally. I am willing to believe that it is through 

 ignorance of the kind of care necessary, and how, when, 

 and where to bestow it. It seems to be my duty to state 

 the cause of snch losses ; therefore make it a rule to have 

 stands, bee-houses, etc., ready in spring before the bees 

 leave the hives, and let them remain stationary during the 

 summer. 



If we keep bees for ornament, it would be M'ell to build 

 bee-houses, paint the hives, etc.; but as I suspect that the 

 majority of readers will be chiefly interested in the profits, 

 I nssui'e them that the bees will not pay a cent towards 

 extra expenses ; they will not do any more labor in a paint- 

 ed house, than if it were tha,tched with straw. When 

 profit is the only object, economy would dictate that labor 

 be bestowed only where there is a reasonable prospect of 

 remuneration. 



CHEAP STAND. 



So many kinds of bee-houses and stands have been re- 

 commended, all so difierent from what I prefer, that I 

 perhaps ought to feel some hesitancy in offering one so 



