PROFITS OF BEE-KEEPING. 283 



is subject. There are but few bee-keepers who have 

 suitable rooms in which to winter their bees; and 

 where but few are kept, it is more difficult to pre- 

 serve them in this manner than if there is a sufficient 

 quantity to keep the room warm. It is just as natu- 

 ral for bees to want their liberty, and fly out on warm 

 days, as it is for sparks to fly upward ; hence, I con- 

 clude that to confine them is contrary to their nature, 

 and consequently injurious to their future health and 

 prosperity. 



I have thus wintered bees, and on setting them out 

 in spring found their condition similar to those we 

 shipped to. California, on opening them out after 

 landing. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



PROFITS DF BEE-KEEPING. 



This, after all, is the great point at issue. Many 

 persons would become bee-keepers, if they knew it 

 would be very profitable. 



It is difficult to estimate correctly what profit may 

 be derived from average stocks of bees per annum. 

 The usual price per hive here, is about nine or ten 

 dollars, in good hives. The average product from 

 each good stock per year, if managed in the manner 

 I have suggested in this treatise, in swarms and 

 honey, should be about equal to the first cost of the 

 stocks. From this should be deducted the price of 



