14 
Beekeeping 
power of concentration and sympathetic understanding of 
the bees are essentials and, as a result, the bees become pets 
rather than beasts of burden to the true bee-crank. Per¬ 
sons who fail to appreciate bees from this point of view will 
probably find it more pleasant and profitable to let them 
alone. Like all general statements about bees, there are 
exceptions to this one. Some who are financially successful 
beekeepers are totally devoid of sympathetic interest in 
bees and have learned to handle bees as it were by force. 
Such men are out of place as amateur beekeepers and in¬ 
deed fail to reach the highest success as professionals. 
The ardent bee-man finds pleasure in comparing expe¬ 
riences and observations with his co-workers, in conventions 
and out, and some of the best “conventions” are those in 
which two or three experienced beekeepers spend half or 
more of the night in talking over their latest ideas. They 
discuss new and supposedly improved apparatus and all 
the latest systems of manipulation, for there seem to be 
styles and fads in beekeeping as in clothes. The man who 
fails to find pleasure in such an interchange of views will 
find himself out of place among bee-enthusiasts. 
Not only is a knowledge of what to do necessary to success 
with bees, but it is equally necessary that the right thing 
be done at the right time. To put on comb-honey supers 
too late, to delay the necessary steps in swarm control or 
to neglect the preparation of bees for winter, all mean loss 
in bees, honey and money. In the make-up of the beekeeper 
must be promptness to do the things which his experience 
teaches. In the hands of the wise, the bees need remark¬ 
ably little attention. They should not be manipulated 
daily and the hive is better unopened unless some change 
is called for. The beginner errs almost universally in over¬ 
manipulation. It must not be forgotten, however, that the 
reduction in handling which comes with experience is not 
neglect, and the beekeeper must know daily whether the 
condition of the nectar-secreting plants or of his colonies 
calls for any manipulation. This requires experience and 
