16 



Texas Department op Agriculture. 



The difference between care and neglect. 



from .starvation. Although this is rather rave in most localities, it is 

 better to Kuard against such possible failures than to be carried away 

 by alluring calculations that make beekeeping appear as a source by 

 which one may become quickly rich. 



Sixty-five pounds of surplus, of both comb and extracted honey per 

 colony, is a fair yield for the average beekeeper, and an average of 

 about nine cents a pound for both together is a remunerative price 

 for which it may be sold. From the $6 worth of honey and wax ob- 

 tained from each colony ought to be deducted approximately 25 per 

 cent to cov(M- the expense of production, interest on capital' invested 

 and depreciation from wear of the supplies and appliance-; in use. 

 AVhile the net profit of i\^i.')() per colony mav tempt beginners to 

 plunge into beekeeping without due preparation, they are cautioned 

 not to do so, since one must begin slowiy, grow into the business and 

 expand as experience may warrant, or failures are the sure results. 



With only a few colonies, the matter of labor is not very important 

 and to allow 2.") per cent for it would be rather high. ' In such in- 

 stances there would be a creater relative profit ; but, if larffe numbers of 

 colonies are kept, the labor must be taken careful Iv into account shice 

 it becomBr quite an item. It becomes necessary to employ additional 



