PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. 



be sold in less than one year, and that in less than two years 

 a second edition would be demanded by the apiarists of our 

 country. 



The very kindly reviews and flattering notices by apiarian, 

 scientihc, and other journals, both American and foreign, 

 and the approval, as expressed by numerous friendly letters, 

 of our most eminent apiarists, as also the " unprecedented 

 sale of this little work,-' have not only been very gratifying, 

 but also assure me that I was quite right in the opinion that 

 the time was ripe for some such treatise. 



At the urgent request of many apiarian friends, in response 

 to the oft-repeated desire of my many students, some of 

 whom are becoming leading apiculturists in our country, and 

 at the suggestion of many noted apiarists with whom I have 

 no personal acquaintance, I now send forth this second edi- 

 tion, greatly enlarged, mostly re-written, even more fully 

 illustrated, and containing the latest scientific discoveries, 

 and most recent improvements in methods of apiarian man- 

 agement and bee-keeping apparatus. 



It is impossible for me to state how greatly I am indebted 

 to our excellent American bee periodicals, and enterprising 

 and intelligent apiarists, for many — yea, for most — of the 

 valuable thoughts and suggestions which may be found in 

 the following pages. I am tempted to mention names^of 

 those whose aid and favors have oeen especially useful, but 

 And the list so large that I must, perforce, forego the privi- 

 lege, and only refer to such persons in the text. 



With the hope that this second edition may reach even 

 more who desire instruction in this pleasing art, and that it 

 may still further advance the interests of scientific apicul- 

 ture, I send it forth to all those who wish to study more 

 deeply into the mysteries of insect life, or to gain further 

 knowledge of one of the most fascinating as well as profita- 

 ble of arts. 



I make no apology for inserting so much of science in the 

 following pages. From the letters of inquiry which I am 

 constantly receiving, especially from apiarists, I am con- 

 vinced that the people are mentally hungry for just such 



