Beekeeping as an Occupation 
13 
With such an array, it may seem fruitless to ask who 
should be beekeepers. The care of bees is not, however, 
equally well suited to all persons, and it would save much 
disappointment, both financial and otherwise, if this ques¬ 
tion were more frequently asked before embarking on this 
business. First of all should be excluded those persons 
who are seriously affected by the poison of bee-stings. To 
some people, this is a serious matter and, unless it is im¬ 
perative that they care for bees, it is better for them not to 
undertake it. To practically all beginners, the stings are 
annoying, and the experienced beekeeper, however much he 
may brag of his indifference to stings, still suffers as much 
pain from the prick as he did at first. With time and numer¬ 
ous stings, an immunity to the poison is developed which 
eliminates the after-swelling, which is the most annoying 
feature of the stinging. Nervous persons who cannot take 
stings without excitement would do better to keep away 
from bees, as there are times when the best of beekeepers 
will be punctured. 
To carry on beekeeping with interest and profit requires 
an intimate study of the bees and a detailed knowledge of 
their needs. It further requires a knowledge of the plants 
from which they gather nectar so that the necessary steps 
may be taken to get the colonies in proper condition for the 
work required of them. To be a good beekeeper, one must 
read and re-read the books and journals pertaining to the 
subject, for each reading, accompanied by additional ex¬ 
perience among the bees, brings out some new point which 
proves important in the practical work. Furthermore, 
the beekeeper cannot work by rule of thumb. Bees are 
living, lively animals and may be “expected to do the un¬ 
expected,” as beekeepers so often express it. For this 
reason, it is necessary for the beekeeper to know the be¬ 
havior of bees in all its phases and in so far as they have 
been determined, which is not far, the causes of their various 
activities. Obviously, the successful beekeeper is a naturalist 
and such persons are born, not made successfully. Patience, 
