Manual of the apiary

Front matter

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Preface To First Edition

THE APIARY.

Why another treatise on this subject? Have we not* Langstroth, and Quinby, and King, and Bevan, and Hunter? Yes ; all of these. Each of which has done excellent service in promoting an important industry. Each of which possesses peculiar and striking excellences. Yet none of these combine all of the qualities desirable in a popular manual. Hence, the excuse for another claimant for public favor. Every cultured apiarist laments that there is no text-book which possesses all of the following very desirable characters: Simple style, full in its discussions, cheap, disinterested, up with the times. It is for the bee-keeping public to decide whether this treatise meets any more fully the demands made by the latest discoveries and improvements, by the wants of those eager to learn, and by the superior intelligence which is now enlisted in the interests of the Apiary.

The following is, in substance, the same as the course of lectures which I have given each year to the students of the Michigan Agricultural College, and their desire, as expressed in repeated requests, has led to this publication.

It will be my desire to consider subjects of merely scientific interest and value, as fully as scientific students can reasonably desire ; and, that such discussions may not confuse or perplex those who only read or study with practical ends in view, a very full index is added, so that the whereabouts of any topic, either of practical or scientific value, can be easily ascertained.

In considering the various subjects of interest to the bee-keeper, I am greatly indebted to the authors mentioned above, and also to the following journals, all worthy of high commendation: Gleanings in Bee Culture, American Bee Journal, Bee-Keepers' Magazine, and Bee World.

The illustrations for this manual were nearly all drawn by the author from the natural object.

Michigan Agricultural College, ) Lansing, May 1, 1876. j

Preface To Second Edition

I little thought when I sent out, less than two years ago, the first edition— 3,000 copies— of my little, unpretending, tL Manual of the Apiary," that more than 2,000 copies would be sold in less than one year, and that in less than two years a second edition would be demanded by the apiarists of our country.

The very kindly reviews and flattering notices by apiarian, scientific, and other journals, both American and foreign, and the approval, as expressed by numerous friendly letters, of our most eminent apiarists, as also the " unprecedented sale of this little work," have not only been very gratifying, but also assure me that I was quite right in the opinion that the time was ripe for some such treatise.

At the urgent request of many apiarian friends, in response to the oft-repeated desire of my many students, some of whom are becoming leading apiculturists in our country, and at the suggestion of many noted apiarists with whom I have no personal acquaintance, I now send forth this second edition, greatly enlarged, mostly re-written, even more fully illustrated, and containing the latest scientific discoveries, and most recent improvements in methods of apiarian management and bee-keeping apparatus.

It is impossible for me to state how greatly I am indebted to our excellent American bee periodicals, and enterprising and intelligent apiarists, for many— yea, for most— of the valuable thoughts and suggestions which may be found in the following pages. I am tempted to mention names of those whose aid and favors have been especially useful, but find the list so large that I must, perforce, forego the privilege, and only refer to such persons in the text.

With the hope that this second edition may reach even more who desire instruction in this pleasing art, and that it may still further advance the interests of scientific apiculture. I send it forth to all those who wish to study more deeply into the mysteries of insect life, or to gain further knowledge of one of the most fascinating as well as profitable of arts.

I make no apology for inserting so much of science in the following pages. From the letters of inquiry which I am constantly receiving, especially from apiarists, I am convinced that the people are mentally hungry for just such

PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION.

food. To satisfy and stimulate just such appetites is, I am sure, very desirable.

I recommend nothing in this treatise that I have not proved valuable by actual trial, unless I mention some eminent person as advising it ; nor do I announce any fact or scientific truth that I have not verified, except as I give it on the authority of some competent person.

For most of the figures of the second edition lam indebted to one of my pupils, Mr. W. L. Holdsworth, whose skill as an artist needs no praise.

Appended to this volume is a very full index which vnll be a great aid to the student

Introduction

Who May Keep Bees n

Specialists n

Amateurs 11

Who are Specially Interdicted 12:

Inducements to Bee-Keeping 12

Recreation 12

Profit 13

Excellence as an Amateur Pursuit 15

Adaptation to Women .15

Improves the Mind and Observation 17

Yields Delicious Pood 17

What Successful Bee-Keeping Requires 18

Mental Effort 18

Experience Necessary 18

Learn from Others 18

Aid from Conventions 19

Aid from Bee Papers 19

Books for the Apiarist 21

Langstroth on the Honey-Bee 21

Quinby's Mysteries of Bee-Keeping 22

King's Text-Book 22

A, B, C of Bee Culture 22

Foreign Works 22

Promptitude 53

Enthusiasm 24

Natural History of the Hoxey Bee.

CHAPTER I. The Bee's Place in the Animal Kingdom 27

The Branch of the Honey-Bee 27

The Class of the Honey-Bee 28

The Order of the Honey-Bee 30

The Sub-Order of the Honey-Bee 31

11. CONTENTS.

The Family of the Honey-Bee 34

The Genus of the Honey-Bee 38

The Species of the Honey-Bee • 41

The Varieties of the Honey-Bee 41

German, or Black Bee 47

Italian, or Ligurian 41

Fasciata, or Egyptian 43

Other Varieties 43

Valuable Books on Entomology 47

CHAPTEE II.

Anatomy and Physiology 48

Anatomy of Insects 48

Organs of the Head 48

Appendages of the Thorax 55

Internal Anatomy 56

Secretory Organs 61

Sex Organs , 62

Transformations « 66

The Egg 67

The Larva , 68

The Pupa 68

The Imago Stage 70

Incomplete Transformations 70

Anatomy and Physiology of the Honey Bee 71

Three Kinds of Bees in Each Colony 71

The Queen 71

The Drone 86

The Neuters or Workers 90

CHAPTER IV. Products of Bees, their Origin and Function 104

Wax 106

Pollen, or Bee-Bread HI

Propolis 112

The Apiary, its Care and Management 115

INTRODUCTION.

Preparation ■ 117

Read a Good Manual - 117

Visit some Apiarist , — 117

CONTENTS. 111.

Take a College Course 118

Decide on a Plan 118

How to Procure our Bees 118

Kind of Bees to Purchase 119

In What Kind of Hives 119

When to Purchase 119

How Much to Pay 120

Where to Locate 120

CHAPTEE V.

Hives and Boxes 122

Box Hives 122

Movable Comb Hives 123

The Langstroth Hive 123

Character of the Hive 124

The Bottom Board 127

The Cover 129

The Frames 132

How to Construct the Frames 133

A Block for making Frames 134

Cover for Frames 136

Division Board 137

The Huber Hive 138

Apparatus for Securing Comb Honey 141

Boxes 142

Small Frames or Sections 144

Bequisites of Good Frames 144

Description 144

How to Place Sections in Position 147

Sections in Frames 147

Sections in Backs 149

CHAPTEE VI.

Position and Arrangement of the Apiary 152

Position 152

Arrangement of Ground 152

Preparation for each Colony 153

CHAPTEE YIL

To Transfer Bees 156

" CHAPTEE VIII.

Feeding and Feeders 159

How Much to Feed .159

How to Feed 1 60

CHAPTEE IX.

Queen Bearing 163

How to Bear Queens 163

Nuclei 165

Shall we Clip the Queen's Wing? 168

IV. CONTENTS.

CHAPTER X.

Increase of Colonies 171

Swarming 171

Hiving Swarms 173

To Prevent Second Swarms 175

To Prevent Swarming 176

How Best to Increase 177

Dividing 177

How to Divide 177

CHAPTER XI.

Italians and Italianizing .180

All Should Keep only Italians .188

How to Italianize 18a

How to Introduce a Queen 183

To Get Italian Queens. . 185

Rearing and Shipping Queens 186

To Ship Queens. 186

To Move Colonies ,. .187

CHAPTER XII.

Extracting and the Extractors '. . .188

Honey Extractor 188

What Style to Buy 189

Use of the Extractor 191

When to use the Extractor 192

How to Extract 194

CHAPTER XIII.

Handling Bees 195

The Best Bee Veil .196

To Quiet Bees 197

Bellows Smoker 198

The Quinby Smoker 198

The Bingham Smoker 199

How to Smoke Bees 201

To Cure Stings 201

The Sweat Theory 201

CHAPTER XIV.

Comb Foundation 203

History 203

American Foundation 204

How Foundation is Made 206

To Secure the Wax Sheets 206

Use of Foundation 207

To Fasten the Foundation 209

Save the Wax 211

Methods 211

CONTENTS. V.

CHAPTER XV.

Marketing Honey 213

How to Invigorate the Market 213

Extracted Honey 214

How to Tempt the Consumer 214

Comb Honey 215

Rules to be Observed 215

CHAPTER XYI.

Honey Plants 218

What are the Valuable Honey Plants'? . 220

Description with Practical Remarks 222

April Plants 223

May Plants 225

June Plants 228

July Plants 237

August and September Plants 242

Books on Botany 244

Practical Conclusions 244

CHAPTER XVII.

Wintering Bees 246

The Cause of Disastrous Wintering 246

Requisite to Safe Wintering— Good Pood 248

Secure Late Breeding 249

To Secure and Maintain Proper Temperature 249

Box for Packing 250

Chaif Hives 251

Wintering in Cellar or House 252

Burying Bees 254

Spring Dwindling 254

CHAPTER XVIII.

The House Apiary 255

Description 255

Are they Desirable 256

The Case as it Now Stands 256

CHAPTER XIX.

Evils that Confront the Apiarist . .258

Robbing 258

Disease 259

Foul Brood 259

Enemies of Bees 262

The Bee Moth 262

History 266

Bee Killer 267

VI. CONTENTS.

Bee Louse : 268

Important Suggestion 269

Bee Hawk 269

Spiders 271

Ants 271

Wasps 271

The King Bird 272

Toads 272

Mice 272

CHAPTEE XX.

Calendar and Axioms 274

Work for Different Months 274

January 274

February 274

March 274

April 275

May 275

June 275

July 275

August 275

September 276

October 276

November 276

December 276

Axioms 2W

ILLUSTRATIONS.

1. Trachea 28

2. Kespiratory Apparatus of a Bee 29

3. Bee's Wings 38

4. Head of Drone 39

5. Head of Worker 39

6. Head of Bee 49

7. Thorax of Bee 55

8. Nervous System of Drone 58

9. Alimentary Canal 60

10. Male Organs of Bee 63

11. Queen Organs 64

12. Larva of Bee 68

13. Pupa of Bee 69

14 Queen Bee 72

15. Labium of Queen 73

16. Part of Queen's Leg 74

CONTENTS. vil.

17. Drone 86

38. Part of Drone's Leg 87

12. Worker Bee 90

20. Tongue of Worker Bee 91

21. Jaw of Queen, Drone and Worker 92

22. Part of Posterior Leg of Worker— outside 93

23. Part of Posterior Leg of Worker— inside 94

24. Anterior Leg of Worker 94

25. Sting of Worker 95

26. Egg and Brood 97

27. Wax Scales 106

28. Honey-Comb 109

29. Langstroth Hive 124

30. Body of Hive 125

31. Bevel Gauge 126

32. Bottom-Board 128

33. Two-Story Hive 130

34. Cover to Hive 131

36. Frame, with Cross-Section of Top-Bar 134

37. Block for making Frames 135

38. Division-Board 137

39. Part of Quinby Hive 139

40. Part of Bingham Hive 140

41. Glass Honey Box 142

42. Isham Honey Box 143

43. Harbison Section Frame 143

44. Chisel 144

45. Block for Section Making 145

46. Hetherington Separator 146

47. Dove-tailed Section 146

48. Phelps Section 147

49. Section Frame 148

50. Sections in Frame 140

51. Southard's Section Back 150

52. Wheeler's Section Rack 150

53. Hive in Shade of Evergreen 155

55. Simplicity Feeder 161

56. Queen-cell Inserted in Comb 167

57. Shipping Queen Cage 187

58. Everett's Extractor 189

59. Comb Basket for Extractor 190

60. Knife for Uncapping 191

61. Knife with Curved Point 191

62. Bee-Veil 196

63. Quinby Smokers 199

64. Bingham Smoker 199

65. Comb Foundation 203

66. Comb Foundation Machine 205

Till. CONTENTS.

67. Comb Foundation Cutter. ■ 206

68. Block for Fastening Foundation 210

69. Presser for Block : 211

70. Wax Extractor 212

71. Prize Crate 216

72. Heddon Crate 217

74. Willow 223

75. Judas Tree 224

76. American Wistaria. 225

77. Chinese Wistaria 226

78. Barberry 226

79. White Sage 227

80. White or Dutch CloTer 228

81. Alsike Clover 229

82. Melilot Clover ..230

83. Borage 230

84. Mignonette 231

87. Pollen of Milk- Weed 233

88. Black Mustard 233

91. Teasel 236

92. Cotton 236

93. Basswood 237

94. Figwort 238

95. Button-Bush 240

96. Rocky Mountain Bee Plant 239

97. Boneset 241

98. Buckwheat 242

99. Golden Rod 243

100. Sun Flower 243

101. Packing-Box for Winter 250

102. Gallery of Moth Larva 262

103. Moth Larva in Comb 263

104. Moth Larvse ...264

105. Moth Cocoons 264

106. Moth with Wrings Spread 264

107. Male and Female Moths . .265

108. Bee-Killer 268

109. Bee Louse 268

INTRODUCTION

WHO MAY KEEP BEES.

SPECIALISTS.

Any person who is cautious, observing, and prompt to do whatever the needs of his business requires, with no thought of delay, may make apiculture a specialty, with almost certain prospects of success. He must also be willing to work with Spartan energy during the busy season, and must persist, though sore discouragement, and even dire misfortune, essay to thwart his plans and rob him of his coveted gains. As in all other vocations, such are the men who succeed in apiculture. I make no mention of capital to begin with, or territory on which to locate ; for men of true metal — men whose energy of mind and body bespeak success in advance — will solve these questions long before their experience and knowledge warrant their assuming the charge of large apiaries.

AMATEURS.

Apiculture, as an avocation, may be safely recommended to those of any business or profession, who possess the above named qualities, and control a little space for their bees, a few rods from street and neighbor, or a flat roof whereupon hives may securely rest (C. F. Muth, of Cincinnati, keeps his bees very successfully on the top of his store, in the very heart of a large city), and who are able to devote a little time, when required, to care for their bees. The amount of time will of course vary with the number of colonies kept, but with proper management this time may be granted at any time of the day or week, and thus not interfere with the regular business. Thus residents of country, village, or city, male or female, who may wish to be associated with and study natural objects, and add to their income and pleasure, will find here an ever-waiting opportunity. To the ladies, shut out from fresh air and sunshine, till pallor and languor point sadly to departing health and vigor, and to men the nature of whose business precludes air and exercise, apiculture cannot be too highly recommended as an avocation.

WHO ARE SPECIALLY INTERDICTED.

There are a few people, whose systems seem to be specially susceptible to the poison intruded with the bee's sting. Sometimes such persons, if even stung on the foot, will be so thoroughly poisoned that their eyes will swell so they cannot see, and will suffer with fever for days, and, very rarely, individuals are so sensitive to this poison that a bee-sting proves fatal. I hardly need say, that such people should never keep bees. Many persons, among whom were the noted Klein and Gunther, are at first very susceptible to the poison, but spurred on by their enthusiasm, they persist, and soon become so innoculated that they experience no serious injury from the stings. It is a well-recognized fact, that each successive sting is less powerful to work harm. Every bee-keeper is almost sure to receive an occasional sting, though with the experienced these are very rare, and the occasion neither of fear nor anxiety.

INDUCEMENTS TO BEE-KEEPING.

RECREATION.

Among the attractive features of apiculture, I mention the pleasure which it offers its votaries. There is a fascination about the apiary which is indescribable. Nature is always presenting the most pleasurable surprises to those on the alert to receive them. And among the insect hosts, especially bees, the instincts and habits are so inexplicable and marvelous, that the student of this department of nature never ceases to meet with exhibitions that move him, no less with wonder than with admiration. Thus, bee-keeping affords most wholesome recreation, especially to any who love to look in upon the book of nature, and study the marvelous pages she is ever waiting to present. To such, the very fascination of their pursuit is of itself a rich reward for the time and labor expended. I doubt if there is any other class of manual laborers who engage in their business, and dwell upon it, with the same fondness as do bee-keepers. Indeed, to meet a scientific bee-keeper is to meet an enthusiast. A thorough study of the wonderful economy of the hive must, from its very nature, go hand-in-hand with delight and admiration. I once asked an extensive apiarist, who was also a farmer, why he kept bees. The answer was characteristic : " Even if I could not make a good deal the most money with my bees, I should still keep them for the real pleasure they bring me." But yesterday I asked the same question of Prof. Daniels, President of the Grand Rapids schools, whose official duties are very severe. Said he : " For the restful pleasure which I receive in their management." I am very sure, that were there no other inducement than that of pleasure, I should be slow to part with these models of industry, whose marvelous instincts and wondrous life-habits are ever ministering to my delight and astonishment.

A year ago, I received a visit from my old friend and College classmate, 0. Clute, of Keokuk, Iowa. Of course I took him to see our apiary, and as we looked at the bees and their handiwork, just as the nectar from golden-rod and asters was flooding the honey-cells. He became enraptured, took my little "Manual of the Apiary" home with him, and at once subscribed for the old American Bee Journal. He very soon purchased several colonies of bees, and has found so much of pleasure and recreation in the duties imposed by his new charge, that he has written me several times, expressing gratitude that I had led him into such a work of love and pleasure.

PROFITS.

The profits, too, of apiculture, urge its adoption as a pursuit. When we consider the comparatively small amount of capital invested, the relatively small amount of labor and expense attending its opperations, we are surprised at the abundant reward that is sure to wait upon its intelligent practice. I do not wish to be understood here as claiming that labor — yes, real hard, back-aching labor — is not required in the apiary. The specialist, with his hundred or more colonies, will have, at certain seasons, right hard and vigorous work. Yet this will be both pleasant and healthful, and will go hand-in-hand with thought, so that brain and muscle will work together. Yet this time of hard, physical labor will only continue for five or six months, and for the balance of the year the apiarist has or may have comparative leisure. Nor do I think that all will succeed. The fickle, careless, indolent, heedless man, will as surely fail in apiculture, as in any other calling. But I repeat, in the light of many years of experience, where accurate weight, measure, and counting of change has given no heed to conjecture, that there is no manual labor pursuit, where the returns are so large, when compared with the labor and expense.

An intelligent apiarist may invest in bees any spring in Michigan, with the absolute certainty of more than doubling his investment the first season. While a net gain of 400 per cent, brings no surprise to the experienced apiarists of our State. This of course applies only to a limited number of colonies. Nor is Michigan superior to other States as a location for the apiarist. During the past season, the poorest I ever knew, our fifteen colonies of bees in the College apiary, have netted us over $200. In 1876, each colony gave a net return of $24.04, while in 1875, our bees gave a profit, above all expense, of over 400 per cent, of their entire value in the spring. Mr. Fisk Bangs, who graduated at our College one year since, purchased last spring seven colonies of bees. The proceeds of these seven colonies have more than paid all expenses, including first cost of bees, in honey sold, while there are now sixteen colonies, as clear gain, if we do not count the labor, and we hardly need do so, as it has in no wise interfered with the regular duties of the owner. Several farmers of our State who possess good apiaries and good improved farms, have told me that their apiaries were more profitable than all the remainder of their farms. Who will doubt the profits of apiculture in the face of friend Doolittle's experience ? He has realized $6,000, in five years, simply from the honey taken from fifty colonies. This $6,000 is in excess of all expenses except his own time. Add to this the increase of stocks, and then remember that one man can easily care for 100 colonies, and we have a graphic picture of apiarian profits. Bee-keeping made Adam Grimm a wealthy man. It brought to

Capt, Hetherington over $10,000 as the cash receipts of a single year's honey-crop. It enabled Mr. Harbison, so it is reported, to ship from his own apiary, eleven car-loads of comb-honey as the product of a single season. What greater recommendation has any pursuit ? Opportunity for moneymaking, even with hardships and privations, is attractive and seldom disregarded ; such opportunity with labor that brings, in itself, constant delight, is surely worthy of attention.

EXCELLENCE AS AN AMATEUR PURSUIT.

Again, there is no business, and I speak from experience, that serves so well as an avocation. It offers additional funds to the poorly paid, out-door air to the clerk and office-hand, healthful exercise to the person of sedentary habits, and superb recreation to the student or professional man, and especially to him whose life-work is of that dull, hum-drum, routine order that seems to rob life of all zest. The labor, too, required in keeping bees, can, with a little thought and management, be so planned, if but few colonies are kept, as not to infringe upon the time dem'anded by the regular occupation. Indeed, I have never been more heartily thanked, than by such persons as named above, and that, too, because I called them to consider — which usually means to adopt — the pleasing duties of the apiary.

ADAPTATION TO WOMEN.

Apiculture may also bring succor to those whom society has not been over-ready to favor — our women. Widowed mothers, dependent girls, the weak and the feeble, all may find a blessing in the easy, pleasant, and profitable labors ot the apiary. Of course, women who lack vigor and health, can care but for very few colonies, and must have sufficient strength to bend over and lift the small-sized frames of comb when loaded with honey, and to carry empty hives. With the proper thought and management, full colonies need never be lifted, nor work done in the hot sunshine. Yet right here let me add, and emphasize the truth, that only those who will let energetic thought and skillful plan, and above all promptitude a?id persistence, make up for physical weakness, should enlist as apiarists. Usually a stronger body, and improved health, the results of pure air, sunshine, and exercise, will make each successive day's labor more easy, and will permit a corresponding growth in the size of the apiary for each successive season. One of the most noted apiarists, not only in America but in the world, sought in bee-keeping her lost health, and found not only health, but reputation and influence. Some of the most successful apiarists in our country are women. Of these, many were led to adopt the pursuit because of waning health, grasping at this as the last and successful weapon with which to vanquish the grim monster. Said "Cyula Linswik" — whose excellent and beautifully written articles have so often charmed the readers of the bee publications, and who has had five years of successful experience as an apiarist — in a paper read before our Michigan Convention of March, 1877: " I would gladly purchase exemption from in-door work, on washing-day, by two days' labor among the bees, and I find two hours' labor at the ironing-table more fatiguing than two hours of the severest toil the apiary can exact. * * * I repeat, that apiculture offers to many women not only pleasure but profit. * * * Though the care of a few colonies means only recreation, the woman who experiments in bee-keeping somewhat extensively, will find that it means, at some seasons, genuine hard work. * * * There is risk in the business, I would not have you ignore this fact, but an experience of five years has led me to believe that the risk is less than is generally supposed."

Mrs. L. B. Baker, of Lansing, Michigan, who has kept bees very successfully for four years, read an admirable paper before the same Convention, in which she said : "But I can say, having tried both," (keeping boarding-house and apiculture,) " I give bee-keeping the preference, as more profitable, healthful, independent and enjoyable. * * * I find the labors of the apiary more endurable than working over a cook-stove in-doors, and more pleasant and conducive to health. * * * I believe that many of our delicate and invalid ladies would find renewed vigor of body and mind in the labors and recreations of the apiary. * * * By beginning in the early spring, when the weather was cool and the work light, I became gradually accustomed to out-door labor, and by mid-summer found myself as well able to endure the heat of the sun as my husband, who has been accustomed to it all his life. Previously, to attend an open-air picnic was to return with a head-ache. * * * My own experience in the apiary has been a source of interest and enjoyment far exceeding my anticipations." Although Mrs. Baker commenced with but two colonies of bees, her net profits the first season were over $100 ; the second year but a few cents less than $300 ; and the third year about $250. " The proof of the pudding is in the eating ;" so, too, such words as given above, show that apiculture offers special inducements to our sisters to become either amateur or professional apiarists.

IMPROVES THE MIND AND THE OBSERVATION.

Successful apiculture demands close and accurate observation, and hard, continuous thought and study, and this, too, in the wondrous realm of nature. In all this, the apiarist receives manifold and substantial advantages. In the cultivation of the habit of observation, a person becomes constantly more able, useful and susceptible to pleasure, results which also follow as surely on the habit of thought and study. It is hardly conceivable that the wide-awake apiarist, who is so frequently busy with his wonder-working comrades of the hive, can ever be lonely, or feel time hanging heavily on his hands. The mind is occupied, and there is no chance for ennui. The whole tendency, too, of such thought and study, where nature is the subject, is to refine the taste, elevate the desires, and ennoble manhood. Once get our youth, with their susceptible natures, engaged in such wholesome study, and we shall have less reason to fear the vicious tendencies of the street, or the luring vices and damning influences of the saloon. Thus apiculture spreads an intellectual feast, that even the old philosophers would have coveted ; furnishes the rarest food for the observing faculties, and, best of all, by keeping its votaries face to face with the matchless creations of the All Father, must draw them toward Sim "who went about doing good," and in "whom there was no guile."

YIELDS DELICIOUS FOOD.

A last inducement to apiculture, certainly not unworthy of mention, is the offerings it brings to our tables. Health, yea, our very lives, demand that we should eat sweets. It is a truth that our sugars, and especially our commercial syrups, are so adulterated as to be often poisonous. The apiary, in lieu of these, gives us one of the most delicious and wholesome of sweets, which has received merited praise, as food fit for the gods, from the most ancient time till the present day. To ever have within reach the beautiful, immaculate comb, or the equally grateful nectar, right from the extractor, is certainly a blessing of no mean order. We may thus supply our families and friends with a most necessary and desirable food element, and this with no cloud of fear from vile, poisonous adulterations.

WHAT SUCCESSFUL BEE-KEEPING REQUIRES.

MENTAL EFFORT.

No one should commence this business who is not willing to read, think and study. To be sure, the ignorant and unthinking may stumble on success for a time, but sooner or later, failure will set her seal upon their efforts. Those of our apiarists who have studied the hardest, observed the closest, and thought the deepest, have even passed the late terrible winters with but slight loss.