PREFACE. 



In 1876, in response to a desire frequently expressed by 

 my apiarian friends, principally my students, I published an 

 edition of 3,000 copies of the little unpretending "Manual of 

 the Apiary." This was little more than the course of lectures 

 which I gave annually at the College. In less than two years 

 this was exhausted, and the second edition, enlarged, revised, 

 and much more fully illustrated, was issued. So great was 

 the sale that in less than a year this was followed by the third 

 and fourth editions, and, in less than two years, the fifth 

 edition (seventh thousand) was issued. 



In each of the two following years, another edition was de- 

 manded. In each of these editions the book has been enlarged, - 

 changes made and illustrations added, that the work might keep 

 pace with our rapidly advancing art. 



So great has been the demand for this work, not only at 

 home and in Europe, but even in more distant lands, and so 

 great has been the progress of apiculture — so changed the 

 views and methods of our best bee-keepers, that the author 



