BEE CULTURE. 147 
GENERAL ADVICE TO BEGINNERS. 
Having already described a suitable location for an apiary, 
and indicated who should engage in the business, when to 
commence, what kind and how many colonies of bees to begin 
with, we offer the following advice to beginners : 
GENERAL INFORMATION NECESSARY. 
Obtain, at least, a general knowledge of the natural 
history of the honey bee, and of its management. Become 
acquainted, both theoretically and practically, with the use of 
improved apiarian implements. This can be obtained by 
studying a good manual for the apiary and bee periodicals, 
in connection with experience in the apiary. Spend some 
time with a practical and progressive apiarist, even if you 
have to pay for the privilege of “helping” him; for success- 
ful and prudent care of bees at all seasons and under varied 
circumstances, and the skill necessary to obtain the most 
honey in the best condition for the market, can be obtained 
only by practical experience in the apiary. From time im- 
memorial bees have been kept by man, but until the past few 
years the pursuit has not received that attention that it de- 
mands. In this, as in all other departments of business, itis 
only the careful and practical that succeed. Nature has pro- 
vided the health-giving delicious nectar in myriads of beauti- 
ful flowers, that deck forest, field and garden, and developed 
the bees to gather this abundant sweetness and store it in 
quantities far excecding their wants—and man may step in 
to aid nature and bees, and utilize the surplus honey for 
his pleasure and sustenance. 
SELECTING A LOCATION. + 
Locate where there is a profusion of white clover, with 
timber to the west and north, within range, where basswood 
or linden abounds; goldenrod, asters, Spanish needle and 
heartsease, or smartweed, abound in almost every locality, 
