2o6 BEE-FARMING. 



Bee-houses cannot be too strongly condemned ; they are 

 only a harbouring-place for vermin, and cause the death 

 of many a valuable queen by causing her to mistake the 

 entrance upon returning to the hive after her wedding 

 flight. 



Work for December. 



It is generally supposed that this is the holiday season 

 of the bee-farmer, for in this month of all others he 

 cannot have much to do in his apiary. 



If he can spare a holiday to visit his neighbours far or 

 near v/ho keep bees, it may be well spent in comparing 

 notes about the management of their stocks. We fear it 

 will be found the majority of bee-keepers are still wedded 

 to the old straw-skep, followed by the brimstone pit in 

 the autumn. If we can, however, enlighten their minds 

 by showing them a better way, especially by holding out 

 to their view a few golden coins as a result of their 

 labours, it may help to make them excellent bee-farmers. 

 It will be impossible to overstock this land of plenty, and 

 why should we be compelled to go abroad for our chief 

 supply of honey ? The market never seems to be over- 

 stocked with this commodity, and as good samples of 

 honey may be found in English apiaries as ever came from 

 the Continent, if not superior. 



Let us try to raise British bee-farming to the rank of 

 a science and we need not fear any other country in the 

 world outstripping us in the race. 



THE END. 



WESTMINSTER: NICHOLS AND SONS, 25, PARLIAMENT STREET, 



