PREFACE. 



Very few words are needed by way of preface to 

 this little work. The authoi- trusts that it will be 

 found to be practical, for it has been his intention 

 throughout to mike it so simple that any village 

 bee-keeper may with ease follow its teaching, 

 especially those who may have the happiness to 

 possess a hive of bees in the cottage garden, and 

 delight to listen to their cheery song, when seated 

 after the toils of the day on the rustic bench, 

 shaded with the trailing woodbine. It is better to 

 be practical than scientific; nor has the author 

 aimed at any elegance of style, preferring that the 

 merit of the book should lie in its simplicity and 

 reliability. His principal desire has been to benefit 

 the large and increasingly intelligent class of bee- 

 keepers in this country. It is certain anyone can 

 keep bees without the aid of a guide-book or manual 



