6 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
met. The illustrations are, in all desirable cases, 
actually working drawings, made to scale, so that the 
amateur carpenter may increase his gratification by 
becoming his own hive and appliance manufacturer, 
introducing any modification which his inventiveness 
may suggest ; but, in fairness to the professional, it 
should be here stated, that hives are now turned out 
at prices little, if at all, in advance of the cost of 
materials to those who purchase in small quantities. 
It is, perhaps, hardly possible to arrange the 
chapters in a manner that shall be strictly logical, 
or so that the treatment of each subject shall in no 
case presuppose a knowledge of matters to be sub- 
sequently considered ; but this difficulty is of less 
than usual moment, since readers will commonly be 
already bee-keepers, and probably familiar with one 
or more of the smaller treatises. 
Let us now commence our journey together. The 
Author, while acting as guide, claims no infallibility, 
but simply a consciousness that he has no interest to 
serve but truth, which he trusts will at all times 
save him from any imputation of selfish bias, however 
much his judgment may be held to be defective. He 
desires to eschew every “ fad,” to steer clear of every 
prejudice, and to avoid all suspicion of partiality ; 
and should the reader meet positions contrary to 
those he cherishes, he is asked, before giving the 
verdict in his own favour, to carefully consider the 
stated principles upon which the Author bases his 
judgment ; and in all cases let us be at one in the 
desire that light may spread, to the end that the bee- 
keeper may be ennobled and apiculture advanced. 
