PREFACE 



Since the first edition of this bulletin was issued in 1911, there has 

 been a considerable development in bee-keeping in Rhode Island^ as 

 well as other states, and the prospects are bright for a healthy and 

 steady growth in the future. People generally are learning more and 

 more to use and appreciate honey as a food and the demand is there- 

 fore growing. The possibility of keeping and tending a few swarms 

 of bees to produce honey for home use even in small back yards, is 

 becoming more fully known and the profitableness of larger ventures 

 in the production of market honey is also being established. 



While some of this development is due to an increase of interest in 

 all lines of agriculture, and especially in such ventures to help reduce 

 the high cost of living, which can be pursued on limited areas, such 

 as a small back yard, nevertheless, I believe that a considerable part 

 of it in Rhode Island comes as a result of the educational campaign 

 carried on by Mr. Miller, under the auspices of the State Board of 

 Agriculture through such publications as this bulletin, through 

 lectures and through visits and demonstations in connection with the 

 administration of the Apiary Inspection Law. 



Before the advent of this work, bee-keepers had frequent dis- 

 astrous experiences due to bee diseastes, insect pests and a general 

 lack of knowledge of bee-keeping which discouraged many of those 

 already in the business and kept otters from attempting to enter 

 the field. Mr. Miller has been able in connection with his inspection 

 work to demonstrate how to effectively deal with most of the troubles 

 with which the bee-keeper must cope and make bee-keeping an 

 assured success instead of a partial or complete failure. 



As stated in the preface to the first edition of this bulletin, the 

 production of honey is a natural resource of comparatively limited 

 extent when compared with some of the more staple agricultural 

 products; nevertheless it is one which is easily developed and which 

 is reasonably constant in its availability and which when fully de- 



