1 68 Rules for the Beginner. 



gent, he will take the journals, and will show by his con- 

 versation that he knows the methods and views of his 

 brother apiarists, and, above all, he will not think he knows 

 it all, and that his is the only way to success. If possible 

 he should spend some weeks during the active season with 

 such a bee-keeper, and should learn all he could of such a 

 one, but always let judgment and common sense sit as 

 umpire, that no plans or decisions may be made that judg- 

 ment does not fully sustain. 



TAKE A COLLEGE COURSE. 



It will be most wise to take a course in some college, if 

 age makes this practicable, where apiculture is thoroughly 

 discussed. Here one will not only get the best training in 

 his chosen business, as he will study, see and handle, and 

 thus will have the very best aids to decide as to methods, 

 system and apparatus, but will also receive that general 

 culture, which will greatly enhance life's pleasures and use- 

 fulness, and which ever proves the best capital in any 

 vocation. At the Michigan Agricultural College we now 

 have a fully equipped apiary, and the opportunities for spe- 

 cial study in bee-keeping and entomology are peculiarly 

 good. 



DECIDE ON A PLAN. 



After such a course as suggested above, it will be easy 

 to decide as to location, hives, style of honey to raise, and 

 general system of management. But here, as in all the 

 arts, all our work should be preceded by a well-digested 

 plan of operations. As with the farmer and the gardener, 

 only he who works to a plan can hope for the best success. 

 Of course, such plans will vary as we grow in wisdom and 

 experience. A good maxim to govern all plans is " go 

 slow." A good rule, which will insure the above, " Pay 

 as you go." Make the apiary pay for all improvements in 

 advance. Demand that each year's credits exceed its debts; 

 and that you may surely accomplish this, keep an accurate 

 account of all your receipts and expenses. This will be :< 

 great aid in aiTanging the plans for each successi\e year's 

 ope rations. 



