THE ADVANCE OF BEES UNDEK DOMESTICATION. 16$ 



comb; but this demand has been mainly by those who are en- 

 gaged in the industry as an occupation, or bee-keepers in a- 

 large way. 



There is no reason why bee-keeping should not be as general 

 as that of poultry-keeping 1 . In our cities, towns, suburbs, and 

 rural districts, wherever there is convenience a few fowls are 

 kept by all, if only for egg-production. Even in the city it 

 is a common thing to see a small space set aside for a poultry- 

 yard. The keeping of fowls in small enclosures is always more- 

 or less disagreeable, especiaJly when too near to the dwelling- 

 house. The care, attention, and expense necessary to success- 

 in egg-production is in no way a small matter and is generally, 

 when on a small scale, a losing hobby, and if it were not that 

 new-laid eggs of home production were a luxury that can only 

 be depended upon when they are so obtained, few persons would 

 take the trouble to keep fowls. Again, however ornamental,, 

 attractive and valuable the fowls may be, the enclosures in 

 which they are kept can never boast of the two former condi- 

 tions. With bees it is otherwise. They add a picturesqueness 

 and a rural appearance to the surroundings of every home, and 

 are adaptable to all grounds, whether they are large or small. 

 The hives admit of any amount of ornamentation, and an obser- 

 vatory hive (i.e. one with glass sides), creates an amount of 

 educational interest alike to young and old that it is not open 

 to dispute. Whether kept on a large or small scale, the apiary 

 itself, in addition to the hives, can be made ornate and pro- 

 fitable, and can be so constructed as to be a pleasurable resort, 

 equal to that of the bush-house or garden arbour. Indeed there- 

 is no reason why one or more glass hives for the purpose of 

 observation should not be placed in every bush-house. Of" 

 course, the idea is that bees will sting, but the hives can be so- 

 placed that the dangers from stinging can be entirely avoided, 

 and with ordinary caution in the handling of the bees very little 

 danger need be apprehended. If proper care be exercised in the 

 preparation of the soil for the reception of grape vines,' and the 

 annual pruning be systematically followed, an enjoyable vintage 

 as an additional table luxury in the form of grapes will be ob- 

 tained beyond that given by the bees. If the site for the hives 

 is to be a thing of beauty it will admit of a lavishing expendi- 

 ture to any extent, enough to satisfy the tastes of the most- 

 wealthy. On the other hand, for an individual of frugal means,. 



