18 
DR. MILLER’S 
honey on both sides; the honey was all eaten out of the center, 
and the bees drew to one side; they ate all the honey on that 
side and a long cold spell prevented their going to the other side 
until they starved to death, leaving plenty of honey in the hive; 
or, the colony may have been queenless and weak at the end of 
the honey season. 
Bees Flying Out. — Q. On a warm afternoon the bees crowd 
around the entrance to the hive almost clogging it full. Some of 
the bees crawl up the front of the hive, take wing and fly back to 
the entrance of the hive and go in. Some of them crawl up the 
front of the hive and fly away. A few take wing from the en- 
trance and after circling back and forth in front of the hive, fly 
away. Why is this? 
A. The young bees are taking their play spell and at the 
same time marking their location. You will notice that at first 
they fly with their heads toward the hive. 
Bees, Livelihood from. — Q. I have been trying to decide on a 
move for several years; that is, in the keeping of bees. I had a 
slight experience of two years with bees, but just became greatly 
interested in them when I left the country to accept a position in 
the Postal Department in New York City. I still hold such a po- 
sition, but my desire and love for bees have increased so much 
that I am contemplating a change to the country. My hesitation 
comes from the doubt whether I could make a good living from 
them alone should I devote my entire time to them. What is your 
opinion? Would it be wise and profitable to give up my position 
of $100 a month to lurch into beekeeping? I would not go in ex- 
tensively at the start, but try and feel my way as I advance. Will 
you kindly give me advice I seek as to whether there is a profit- 
able field in the keeping of bees as a business proposition? 
A. Your question is one that is exceedingly difficult to answer. 
If it be a mere matter of dollars and cents, I should say that bee- 
keeping is a good business to let alone, for the same amount of 
brains and energy that will make you a living at beekeeping will 
make more than a living at almost any other business. But if you 
have the great love for beekeeping that some men have, then it 
may be the part of wisdom for you to choose beekeeping in 
preference to any other business that would net you ten times as 
much money. For your true beekeeper doesn’t have to wait until 
he has made his pile before he begins to enjoy life, but every day 
is a vacation day, and a day of enjoyment. 
But you must have a living. Can you make a living at bee- 
keeping? I don’t know. There are a few who make a living at 
