26 BEE CULTURE. 
Reading and study as well as experience and observation 
are essential to obtain this knowledge. The lacking of these 
things will account for the many failures of those whose 
enthusiasm is not supported by experimental knowledge ! 
Every apiarist, therefore, musé read and study, in order to 
practice the art with pleasure and profit. 
WHO SHOULD KEEP BEES? 
Many embark in this occupation who should not ; being 
better adapted to some other. Only those should do so who 
are fond of the study of nature, particularly of the nature and 
habits of the honey bee! They must be willing to adopt the 
valuable improvements of the present day, and keep pace 
with this progressive age ; they must be able to control them- 
selves, in order to control their bees. Such only will suc- 
ceed—while those who still cling to the brimstone and old 
fogy notions of their fathers, and who are averse to progress- 
ive bee-keeping, who shun the little pets on account of their 
pungent weapons, and when stung retaliate with more ferocity 
and less judgment than would become a mere animal—can 
never succeed, and should avoid bee-culture. 
The careless, slovenly and lazy person should not keep 
bees. The care of an apiary is more than it is usually con- 
ceived to be—it is work / Work for the brain, as well as 
the hands and feet ! 
, SUITABLE LOCATION. 
As this work is intended principally for beginners and 
those unacquainted with the business of bee-keeping, we 
shall not discuss those questions which alone interest. the 
advanced apiarist as to location, &c. We simply say: Get 
a good location where fruit and flowers abound, and where 
white clover and linden or basswood is found. Almost any- 
where within the United States will be good. 
One thing we would say: Don’t go where there are 
already many other bee-keepers, for several reasons: 1st.— 
Tf you should have Italians, you don’t want to have your 
queens fertilized by impure drones. 2d. The pasturage 
may not be sufficient to support more bees. 3d. Older bee- 
keepers may think you are “treading on their toes,” and it 
may lead to unpleasant feclings, and a disastrous competition. 
