104 
FOLLOWING THE BEE LINE 
For mental diversion, what can equal study of the 
honey bee’s habits? It is mentally impossible to open 
a bee hive and think of anything else. The organ¬ 
ized life in these busy commonwealths is something 
one can watch and ponder over endlessly. The 
more one learns what is going on, the more one 
wants to learn. There is something also in the na¬ 
ture of a beekeeper’s work which is very fascinating; 
his continual study of the meaning of it all; his need 
for niceness of perception and penetration. 
He is like a doctor, holding the patient’s hand, 
while studying his face and making his diagnosis. 
Or perhaps he might better be likened to a states¬ 
man, feeling the pulse of a nation and attempting 
to direct its policies. 
At one time I had twenty colonies of which I took 
the entire care; in addition, extracting the honey, 
bottling, and marketing it. Nearly every day I 
would have to open and go through several hives. 
My proceedings became in time somewhat automatic 
and business-like. First, a rapid, comprehensive 
survey, followed by some form of practical manipu¬ 
lation. But even in the midst of work, every once 
in a while I would have have to pause, for the 
wonder of it would sweep over me again. 
So, if the woman beekeeper is worried over some- 
