3 THE BOOK OF BEE-KEEPING. 



calities that would confound its readers, and so defeat the objects 

 of the work ; whilst the price would ensure its sale among those 

 who, without a help of this description, would stumble about 

 as one in the dark having no friendly light to guide them. We 

 will thus, while inditing the pages of this book, endeavour to 

 be guided by these precepts, trusting that, by so doing, we shall 

 be fully understood, and thus be of practical utility in the fur- 

 thering of this industry among those whose necessity compels 

 them to augment their slender incomes through its most certain 

 means, as well as those who look upon bee-keeping as a 

 pastime only, of the most healthful description. 



4. Fersous Suited to Bee-keeping. — Many commence 

 bee-keeping with the idea that it is simply to obtain a hive, stock 

 it with bees, and then allow them to look after their own and 

 their keeper^s interests. This idea has, no doubt, arisen from 

 the fact that before the modern system was introduced, it was 

 the only method of bee-keeping ; but such a system is of no 

 use with modem appliances ; better by far to keep the old straw 

 skeps. A modem bee-keeper who wishes to obtain the greatest 

 results, both intellectually and financially, is one who will neglect 

 no opportunity of attending, at the time being, to the wants of 

 his charges; procrastination must form no part of his character. 

 It may be that just at the moment when his attendance is 

 required, by procrastinating, that golden moment is passed, 

 which, in such a fleeting season as ours, is never regained. 

 Fear of his labourers must be banished from his mind; nothing 

 is gained by being afraid of them — there is no necessity for 

 such. If a bee means stinging, you cannot get away from it, 

 as it moves much faster than you possibly can. One might 

 almost try to dodge the lightning as to get away from a bee 

 that has actually made up its mind to introduce its weapon into 

 your skin. A careful, persevering man is bound to succeed. 

 An observant mind is a great desideratum ; it is by noting the 

 behaviour of the bees that a knowledge of their requirements 

 is mostly gained. Note the movements of a queenless stock 

 in comparison to one having a queen. Their movements out- 

 side the hive are a certain indication of their condition within. 

 Open a hive, and if the bees are going to oppose you, an 

 observant eye will foresee their intentions at a glance. How 

 many times we have been asked the question, " When does 

 the honey flow set in?" An observant bee-keeper will know at 

 once. A certain amount of business tact will be required in 

 finding a market for the produce, and here the careful bee- 

 keeper will gain the ascendency ; his honey will be neatly 

 packed and graded as to quality. The careless will have 

 theirs with propolis on the sections, honey leaking from the 

 bottles, and a look of messiness pervading the whole — a 

 bad market being the result 



