Beekeeping as an Occupation 13 



With such an array, it may seem fruitless to ask who 

 should be beekeepers. The care of bees is not, however, 

 equally well suited to all persons, and it would save much 

 disappointment, both financial and otherwise, if this ques- 

 tion were more frequently asked before embarking on this 

 business. First of all should be excluded those persons 

 who are seriously affected by the poison of bee-stings. To 

 some people, this is a serious matter and, unless it is im- 

 perative that they care for bees, it is better for them not to 

 undertake it. To practically all begiimers, the stings are 

 annoying, and the experienced beekeeper, however much he 

 may brag of his indifference to stings, still suffers as much 

 pain from the prick as he did at first. With time and numer- 

 ous stings, an immunity to the poison is developed which 

 eliminates the after-swelling, which is the most annoying 

 feature of the stinging. Nervous persons who cannot take 

 stings without excitement would do better to keep away 

 from bees, as there are times when the best of beekeepers 

 will be punctured. 



To carry on beekeeping with interest and profit requires 

 an intimate study of the bees and a detailed knowledge of 

 their needs. It further requires a knowledge of the plants 

 from which they gather nectar so that the necessary steps 

 may be taken to get the colonies in proper condition for the 

 work required of them. To be a good beekeeper, one must 

 read and re-read the books and journals pertaining to the 

 subject, for each reading, accompanied by additional ex- 

 perience among the bees, brings out some new point which 

 proves important in the practical work. Furthermore, 

 the beekeeper cannot work by rule of thumb. Bees are 

 living, lively animals and may be "expected to do the un- 

 expected," as beekeepers so often express it. For this 

 reason, it is necessary for the beekeeper to know the be- 

 havior of bees in all its phases and in so far as they have 

 been determined, which is not far, the causes of their various 

 activities. Obviously, the successful beekeeper is a naturahst 

 and such persons are born, not made successfully. Patience, 



