The Manipulation of Bees 253 



Both men have the same object in view — to produce workers 

 on time for the harvest. Both are successful while all about 

 them are beekeepers with indifferent or poor success, at- 

 tributed probably to bad luck. 



Increase in efficiency through system. 



Not only must these essentials be emphasized, but the 

 necessary manipulations must be systematized. After some 

 effort in this respect, the beekeeper is usually astonished 

 at what may be accomplished. This may be illustrated 

 by another case. This beekeeper began work with bees 

 on a business basis after keeping a few colonies for pleasure 

 for several years. At the beginning of his experience he 

 taught school, thus having his Saturdays for the bees as well 

 as the summer vacation. At first the vacation was six 

 months, but later the school year was increased, giving him 

 only three months. By systematizing his work, he was 

 able to do as much as formerly and gradually increased his 

 colonies to 250 in three apiaries, all run for comb-honey. 

 He then gave up teaching and accepted a position which 

 kept him away from his bees except during thirty days' vaca- 

 tion in the summer. At first he was frequently near his bees 

 so that if any work was necessary he could arrange to have 

 it done by others. Finally he accepted another position 

 which took him entirely away from his old home and he 

 now goes back just before the honey-flows and leaves as 

 soon as they are over. He still produces comb-honey and 

 is still successful. He has probably almost reached the 

 maximum number of colonies that he can run for comb- 

 honey in so short a time. It is obvious that many manipu- 

 lations usually considered necessary must be eliminated in 

 these apiaries. By leaving plenty of stores and by giving 

 the bees abundant protection many of these are rendered 

 unnecessary. This case is not by any means recorded as 

 ideal, but it illustrates what the elimination of superfluous 

 manipulations may accomplish. 



Anyone can produce honey in a time of plenty, but only 



