PREFACE. 
I feel that in placing this work before the public, a 
preface is due them as well as myself, to show us at a 
glance the guiding rule and object observed in its prepa- 
ration. Some books on the subject that are offered for 
sale, contain a large amount of superfluous matter, 
which only aids to produce a volume of respectable size, 
increasing its selling price and not the practical value — 
placing it, in many cases, beyond the reach of those 
who would be purchasers. My object has been to pro- 
duce a work containing the most valuable knowledge, 
to effect which all available information has been con- 
sulted, and I feel myself much indebted for the aid I 
have received from the writings of Dzierzon, Knauf, 
Huber, Bevan, Assmus, Scudamore, Debeauvay, LaVay, 
Kleine, Wagner, Langstroth, King, Quinby, and many 
others. 
To ascertain the most practical points, all embodied 
in this work has been thoroughly tested for years, and 
it will convey : ist. A knowledge of the nature of the 
