114 
THE APIARY. 
stock, they are self-supporting. They not only provide their 
own food, but with little care, will store a large surplus of their 
delicious product. 
How much easier it is to give bees the little attention neededi 
than the trouble and expense of caring for cattle, pigs, and sheep, 
three times a day, which no good farmer complains of. It is 
indeed strange, that any person, occupying a rood of “ mother 
earth,” should neglect so rich a source of profitable enjoyment. 
Could our young men and young ladies, who now spend hours 
in idleness or vain amusements, be induced to purchase a swarm 
or two of bees, and give them the little attention needed, it 
would not only prove highly remunerative, but would lead them 
into habits of industry and thoughtfulness, and fit them for bet- 
ter citizens. By the introduction of improved hives, a fresh 
interest has been awakened in this branch of rural economy, anil 
with honey at present prices, there would undoubtedly be a 
general rush into bee-keeping, were it not for the fear of stings, 
and a vague belief that “luck” has something to do with 
successful bee management. A little practical knowledge v. ith 
regard to the nature of bees, will enable any one to obtain per- 
fect control over them, and will also open his eyes to the fact, 
that, with properly constructed movable-comb hives, success iu 
bee-keeping is not left to “ luck ” or “ chance,” but depends upon 
the observance of simple rules and regulations. With such 
hives, the bee-keeper is enabled to ascertain the exact condition 
of a stock at any time, and thus remedy defects, or easily remove 
any comb in the hive for any purpose whatever. 
A few stocks of bees are often entirely neglected, and conse- 
quently less profitable, while a larger collection (needing little 
