INTRODUCTION. 
iv 
making these most industrious, interesting, and useful ol 
insect-communities, work in habitations both comfortable 
to themselves and wonderfully convenient for their aggre¬ 
gation, division, and rapid increase ; and all this without 
diminishing their productive labor, or resorting to the 
cruel measure of destroying them. 
Mr. Langstrotii teaches us in his book, how bees can 
be taken care of without great labor, and without the risk 
of suffering from the weapon which the Creator has given 
them for self-defence. Even a delicate lady need not 
fear to undertake the task of cultivating this fascinating 
branch of Rural Economy. Nothing is easier for any 
family that resides in a favorable situation, than to have 
a number of colonies, and this at but little expense. 1 
sincerely hope that many will avail themselves of the 
facilities now placed before them for prosecuting this 
easy branch of industry, not only for the sake of the 
large profit in proportion to its expense, which it may bo 
made to yield, but also for the substantial pleasure which 
they may find in observing the habits of these wonderful 
little creatures, liow remarkably does their entire econ¬ 
omy illustrate the wisdom and skill of the Great Author 
of all things. 
I cannot but believe that many Ministers of the Gospel, 
residing in rural districts, will accept of Mr. Langstrotii’s 
generous offer to give them the free use of his Invention. 
With very little labor or expense, they can derive from 
bee-keeping considerable profit, as well as much pleasure 
