226 Beekeeping 



the proper emphasis may be placed on the various subjects, 

 although naturally there is less opportunity for practice 

 with the bees. The ideal plan is to take the prescribed 

 course and then spend the following summer in the apiary 

 of the best beekeeper available. The student is then able 

 to understand more clearly what he sees and hears and is 

 better able to recognize and perhaps mentally to condemn 

 the little peculiarities in practice which one encounters 

 occasionally in the manipulations of practical beekeepers. 

 If the teaching of beekeeping is conducted wisely, it should 

 result not only in increased knowledge of bees, but in the 

 training of more professional beekeepers. 



Beginner's outfit. 



It is only with experience that one is able to judge of the 

 comparative merits of different hives and other equipment, 

 but the beginner usually desires definite information con- 

 cerning the eqmpment which should be purchased. The 

 giving of such advice is attended with some risk, for one 

 hesitates to advise an equipment which may be discarded 

 when the beekeeper becomes more familiar with the business. 

 In the following lists, the choice is made on the basis of the 

 equipment which is preferred by the majority of good bee- 

 keepers and not alone on the author's personal preferences. 



General equipment : — 



Bee veil. 



Smoker — medium size. 



Gloves (for the beginner only). 



Some kind of hive tool — a screwdriver will answer. 



For each colony : — 



Bottom board of I inch material. 



10-frame Langstroth hive — preferably single-walled. 



Self-spacing frames, punched for wiring. 



Medium brood foundation, li lb. for each hive body. 



Telescope cover. 



