The Manipulation of Bees 
253 
Both men have the same object in view — to produce workers 
on time for the harvest. Both are successful while all about 
them are beekeepers with indifferent or poor success, at¬ 
tributed probably to bad luck. 
Increase in efficiency through system. 
Not only must these essentials be emphasized, but the 
necessary manipulations must be systematized. After some 
effort in this respect, the beekeeper is usually astonished 
at what may be accomplished. This may be illustrated 
by another case. This beekeeper began work with bees 
on a business basis after keeping a few colonies for pleasure 
for several years. At the beginning of his experience he 
taught school, thus having his Saturdays for the bees as well 
as the summer vacation. At first the vacation was six 
months, but later the school year was increased, giving him 
only three months. By systematizing his work, he was 
able to do as much as formerly and gradually increased his 
colonies to 250 in three apiaries, all run for comb-honey. 
He then gave up teaching and accepted a position which 
kept him away from his bees except during thirty days vaca¬ 
tion in the summer. At first he was frequently near his bees 
so that if any work was necessary he could arrange to have 
it done by others. Finally he accepted another position 
which took him entirely away from his old home and he 
now goes back just before the honey-flows and leaves as 
soon as they are over. He still produces comb-honey and 
is still successful. He has probably almost reached the 
maximum number of colonies that lie can run for comb- 
honey in so short a time. It is obvious that many manipu¬ 
lations usually considered necessary must be eliminated in 
these apiaries. By leaving plenty of stores and by giving 
the bees abundant protection many of these are rendered 
unnecessary. This case is not by any means recorded as 
ideal, but it illustrates what the elimination of superfluous 
manipulations may accomplish. 
Anyone can produce honey in a time of plenty, but only 
