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| - This paper is to take the place of Bulletin No. 142, issued in 1902 and again in 1911. Because of the constant demand for No. 142 the last edition was exhausted several years ago. This demand is rapidly becoming greater owing to the work of the increased number of apiary inspectors and the campaign for improvement in heekeeping under the Extension Service. This paper, like the former, is not intended for specialists or professional beekeepers, but it is for those who possess very little or no knowledge of this subject and wish to care for a few colonies. The plan is to give definite information as how to begin, what to get, and what to do. No discussion of variation in bee behavior, or of method is given. To give a choice of methods is but to confuse the beginner and to compare methods is
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| abstract
| - This paper is to take the place of Bulletin No. 142, issued in 1902 and again in 1911. Because of the constant demand for No. 142 the last edition was exhausted several years ago. This demand is rapidly becoming greater owing to the work of the increased number of apiary inspectors and the campaign for improvement in heekeeping under the Extension Service. This paper, like the former, is not intended for specialists or professional beekeepers, but it is for those who possess very little or no knowledge of this subject and wish to care for a few colonies. The plan is to give definite information as how to begin, what to get, and what to do. No discussion of variation in bee behavior, or of method is given. To give a choice of methods is but to confuse the beginner and to compare methods is to so bewilder him that he becomes discouraged and quits. The information given is simple and if followed by the new beekeeper will guide him through his first year of bee work. Then if this system, does not answer his needs, his year's experience mill enable him to understand and to carry out the more elaborate methods of advanced beekeepers. Only a few become successful commercial beekeepers. The temperament, insight, and skill for this occupation is possessed by few. Any one who thinks of commercial beekeeping should go very slowly until he has actual experience in handling bees. However, the majority of the farmers and people living in small towns, with little expense and time; can keep a few stands of bees with profit. The number of stands which can be taken care of b~ one man anr1 at one place becomes a question of interest. The first year, the beginner should have two stands. The reason for two becomes apparent as one reads this brief description of bee culture. The man on the farm with his many other duties, should not have more than five colonies. If he has more, the time required will be so great that the bees will be neglected in favor of the crops. If he has less than five, he has not enough to pay him to buy foundation and hive fixtures in the original packages, and therefore he must pay a, much higher price for the few fixtures, and further he does not own colonies enough to warrant his buying a honey estractor and a solar wax extractor. The man in the small tom with some time to spare can keep from ten to twenty-five stands to an advantage. Not more than this number should be kept at one place, as the commercial beekeepers are coming to believe that from twenty-five to fifty stands to the bee yard will do far better than a greater number. Under ordinary conditions twenty-five colonies to the yard, with the yards at least three miles apart, will give the best results. To choose a location for a bee yard requires much experience, but the choice is based on the following factors: an abundance of bee flora, blooming from spring until winter, a good supply of fresh water, accessibility to the owner, and protection from weather and animals.
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