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This subject may be regardedfrom two standpoints—that of theman who, with income assured fromother sources, pursues beekeepingfor its pleasure; and that of theman who, wishing to increase hisslender income, or actually makean income, turns to beekeepingwith a view to profit on the capitaland labor to be invested. But, asto the latter are denied none of thepleasures enjoyed by the former, itis from the latter standpoint alonethat I shall review the subject.
Beekeeping is, strictly speaking,a branch of agriculture, and manya farmer is to-day getting a greaterreturn from his investment in beesthan that received from any of hisother stock; but right here I saythat beekeeping as a pursuit hasto-day become a “specialty.” Theman who enters upon this pursuit(leaving the question of capitalaside) must be one endowed withphysical and mental ability; a manwith open eyes and ears, oneready for emergencies, prompt to dowhat is necessary at once, and onewho is not easily discouraged.
The physical ability is requiredbecause beekeeping demands realhard work—yes, back-aching work—notsuitable to the sick ladiesand gentlemen so often ill-advisedto go into beekeeping. The mentalability is required to keep thebeekeeper abreast of the times andits rapidly changing conditions.Beekeeping is now a science, astudy, and the conditions whichgovern one season, or colony ofbees, will be completely changedfor the next. Every stage in thelife of a colony of bees requires tobe understood. There must be no“guessing,” and this will bring usto the cultivation of the habit of122observation, and a disposition tohear all that one can upon the specialsubject.
Emergencies will occur needingheroic treatment, but the beekeeperwith mind and hand trained by experienceand thoughtful considerationof his “specialty,” will risesuperior to any occasion, and whendiscouragement comes, as it inevitablywill, in the words of the immortalLongfellow, “He will looknot mournfully into the past, itcomes not back again, but wiselyimprove the future for it is his.”
Pleasure and profit go hand inhand, as a rule, in this specialty,although the former is