INTRODUCTION 
after, a second edition; then another, and another. These were intended to answer the 
greater part of the queries; and from the cheering 1 words received in regard to them it 
seemed that the idea was a happy one. 
Until 1873 all these circulars were sent out gratuituously; but at that time it was 
deemed best to issue a quarterly at 25 cents per year, for the purpose of answering 1 these 
inquiries. The very first number was received with such favor that it was immediately 
changed to a monthly at 75 cents. The name of it was Gleanings in Bee Culture, and it 
was gradually enlarged, until, in 1876, the price was changed to $1.00. During all this 
time it has served the purpose excellently of answering questions as they came up, both 
old and new; and even if some new subscriber should ask in regard to something that had 
been discussed at length but a short time before, it is an easy matter to refer him to it or 
send him the number containing the subject in question. 
When Gleanings was about commencing its fifth year, inquirers began to dislike 
being referred to something that was published half a dozen years before. Besides, the 
decisions that were then arrived at perhaps needed to be considerably modified to meet 
present wants. Now you can see whence the necessity for this ABC book, its office, and 
the place we propose to have it fill. 
December, 1878. 
A. I. Root. 
