Beekeeping as an Occupation 21 



quick" business. Its advantage as a recreation over most 

 other occupations of a similar character is that it is a means 

 of occupying time not otherwise engaged to a financial 

 profit and the returns therefore often add that part to the 

 income which brings comforts and pleasures. 



Beekeeping jdelds a quick return on the investment, for 

 frequently in a good year a colony will pay for itself. In 

 fact there are few branches of agriculture which on so small 

 an investment will yield as great a return. It may at least 

 be said for the person who decides to try out beekeeping 

 that he does not stand to lose much. This chance calls 

 to mind a conversation with a western friend. In recount- 

 ing the present advantages and past glory of his beautiful 

 city, he recalled the former gambling days when everything 

 was "open." After a vivid description of those halcyon 

 days and of some of the men of that time, he said, "I knew 

 some of those men well. They were personal friends of 

 mine and they saw nothing wrong in gambling. And I 

 can appreciate their point of view — ^for I'm a beekeeper 

 myself." 



In discussing the financial results, it is far from wise to 

 overlook the other benefits. Beekeeping, to an enthusiast, 

 means out of doors and intimacy with these interesting 

 insects which have been studied for centuries and still re- 

 main an unsolved riddle in many of their activities. It 

 may mean health to the person confined to an office. It 

 means to a congenial spirit association with bee-enthusiasts, 

 than whom no more optimistic and warm-hearted people 

 exist. If these things make an appeal, then may apiculture 

 be classed as yielding the greatest profits that can be con- 

 ceived. 



If now we attempt to decide for the questioning prospec- 

 tive beekeeper whether he should take up bees, from the 

 previous discussion the whole question is solved: if he 

 will hke beekeeping, he should take it up ; if not, he would 

 better never have considered it. And this is about as re- 

 liable and lucid a prophecy as is usually possible. 



