iv INTRODUCTION. 



greatly superior to any which I have ever seen, either in 

 this or foreign countries. Indeed, I do not believe that 

 any one who takes an intelligent interest in the rearing of 

 bees, can for a moment hesitate to use it ; or, rather, can 

 be induced to use any other, when he becomes acquainted 

 with its nature and merits. 



At length the true secret has been discovered, of 

 making these most industrious, interesting and useful of 

 insect-communities, work in habitations both comfortable 

 to themselves and wonderfully convenient for their aggre- 

 gation, division and rapid increase ; and all this without 

 diminishing their productive labor, or resorting to the 

 cruel measure of destroying them. 



Mr. Langstroth teaches us in his book, how bees can 

 be taken care of without great labor, and without the risk 

 of suffering from the weapon which the Creator has given 

 them for selfdefence. Even a delicate lady need not 

 fear to undertake the task of cultivating this fascinating 

 branch of rural economy. Nothing is easier for any 

 family that resides in a favorable situation, than to have 

 a number of colonies, and this at but little expense. I 

 sincerely hope that many will avail themselves of the 

 facilities now placed before them, for prosecuting this easy 

 branch of industry, not only for the sake of the large 

 profit in proportion to its expense, which it may be made 

 to yield, but also for the substantial pleasure which they 



