(, 3 ? 
R 35'/vn> 
TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE. 
During a visit which I paid to M. de Ri- 
beaucourt in the autumn of 1876, I was much 
struck by the simple and practical method 
which he has applied to the management of his 
bees, and which he has moreover extended to 
the poorer inhabitants in the neighbourhood of 
Arzier, by inducing them to modify the old 
system of bee culture by the adoption of the 
cheap and excellent bee-hive which he has 
introduced amongst them. 
A cheap and strong hive, on improved prin- 
ciples, is, I feel sure, much wanted in England, 
in order to promote an improved system of 
bee-keeping amongst our cottagers ; but until a 
working man can see clearly that the plan 
which he is asked to adopt is the cheapest. 
