2 A Modern Bee-Farm 



given to working up an apiary from a small beginning. You will 

 start at once with all modern material, and buying in large 

 quantities a considerable reduction will be gained ; whereas, 

 many of the appliances collected from time to time under the 

 former condition of preparation, have become valueless by the 

 time the apiarist enters into the business as a specialist, leaving 

 out of the question that much of his material may consist of odd 

 patterns, and cannot be worked to the best advantage. 



The man who has served his time in a large apiary will next 

 want to consider how he is 



To obtain the necessary Materials. 



In the first place, there is more risk in buying his bees than he is 

 likely to incur at any future period of his management. Many 

 buy bees of irresponsible advertisers, and though the latter may 

 consider there is nothing wrong about them, the purchase often 

 turns out simply worthless. 



If it can be so arranged, the student should by all means 

 buy his stock from the apiary where he has served his time. He 

 knows something about the condition of the same, and may rely 

 upon the proprietor treating him honourably. Failing this, the 

 owner of the apiary will probably know where and how he can 

 get good stock, and will proceed accordingly. 



Before beginning his own work the apiarist will do well 

 to visit in turn all the apiaries in the country to which he can 

 gain access, thus gleaning any new ideas which may be thrown 

 ■out, while at the same time consolidating his own knowledge. 



I have said that under ordinary conditions there is a certain 

 risk about bee-keeping. This is quite true ; but the reader by 

 referring to the chapters relating to Planting and Breeding will 

 at once see how the whole thing can be rendered a certainty 

 by those capable of following out the instructions there given. 

 .(Chapters VI. and VII.) 



The Choice of Location 



is another matter for serious consideration. It seems unnecessary 

 to advise a bee-keeper not to enter a district where an advanced 



