14 A Modern Bee-Farm 



Still another department is connected with apiculture : 



The Manufacture of Appliances 



is carried on by a number of reliable men, each of whom 

 has an apiary ; some of them add the making of comb- 

 foundation, while nearly all find it necessary to continue 

 ■some other business. On the other hand there are many, 

 who gaining a first insight into bee-keeping, think it a 

 great chance to make money by advertising hives for 

 sale, either of patterns already in hand, or some idea of 

 their own. This branch of the business is now so much 

 over-crowded, and well-made goods can be obtained so 

 cheaply, that there is no demand for badly constructed 

 hives such as the amateur often turns out. His advertising 

 expenses are never returned, and he soon gives up in 

 disgust. I do not mean to imply that no good is ever 

 to be done in a small way ; but it is better for the beginner 

 who can turn out a decent article to confine himself to 

 local requirements, while continuing his usual occupation. 

 As a rule the buyer will find it to his advantage to go to 

 a well-known maker, and get what he wants at a cheaper 

 rate, and correctly made. 



It is so far doubtful whether honey-producing 

 alone will ever become a reliable source of income 

 except under particularly favourable conditions, or 

 where conducted in connection with growing crops on 

 the farm, but with the manufacture of appliances and 

 foundation, the sale of bees, etc., it is possible to 

 secure good returns where capital is judiciously in- 

 vested, and labour is economised. There are several 

 rural occupations that can be carried on in connection 

 with bee-keeping to advantage. Fruit-growing is generally 

 profitable to those who understand its culture. Poultry, 

 on a small scale, can be made most profitable, and a large 



