Beekeeping as an Occupation 
21 
quick” business. Its advantage as a recreation over most 
other occupations of a similar character is that it is a means 
of occupying time not otherwise engaged to a financial 
profit and the returns therefore often add that part to the 
income which brings comforts and pleasures. 
Beekeeping yields a quick return on the investment, for 
frequently in a good year a colony will pay for itself. In 
fact there are few branches of agriculture which on so small 
an investment will yield as great a return. It may at least 
be said for the person who decides to try out beekeeping 
that he does not stand to lose much. This chance calls 
to mind a conversation with a western friend. In recount¬ 
ing the present advantages and past glory of his beautiful 
city, he recalled the former gambling days when everything 
was “open.” After a vivid description of those halcyon 
days and of some of the men of that time, he said, “I knew 
some of those men well. They were personal friends of 
mine and they saw nothing wrong in gambling. And I 
can appreciate their point of view — for I’m a beekeeper 
myself.” 
In discussing the financial results, it is far from wise to 
overlook the other benefits. Beekeeping, to an enthusiast, 
means out of doors and intimacy with these interesting 
insects which have been studied for centuries and still re¬ 
main an unsolved riddle in many of their activities. It 
may mean health to the person confined to an office. It 
means to a congenial spirit association with bee-enthusiasts, 
than whom no more optimistic and warm-hearted people 
exist. If these things make an appeal, then may apiculture 
be classed as yielding the greatest profits that can be con¬ 
ceived. 
If now we attempt to decide for the questioning prospec¬ 
tive beekeeper whether he should take up bees, from the 
previous discussion the whole question is solved : if he 
will like beekeeping, he should take it up ; if not, he would 
better never have considered it. And this is about as re¬ 
liable and lucid a prophecy as is usually possible. 
