Manual of the apiary

THE AUTHOR.

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. }

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, "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 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 will be a great aid to the student.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION.

Who May Keep Bees 11 Specialists 11 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 Food 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 American Bee Journal 19 Gleanings in Bee Culture 20 Bee-Keepers' Magazine 21 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 23 Enthusiasm 24