The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-11-15
ENTERPRISES FOR SMALL CAPITAL.
lists,

ENTERPRISES FOR SMALL CAPITAL
lists.
The fortunate possessor of $500 or
81 900 in these uncertain days, frequent
ly complains that it is a very unfortu-
nate time for small investments, or for
the profitable use of small sums of mon
ey. The government bond, about the
only absolutely sure investment, is not
so attractive at per cent. interest as it
used to be at and Z. The only possible
way by which small sums of money may
be made productive is for the owner to
go into some productive enterprise on
his own account We wish to indicate
few that require small capital, small
expenditure of muscular labor, and are
attended with very little risk:
Beekeeping and the gathering of honey
for sale, is one of the most attractive and
paying Industries. For this is needed
only little suburban place, and these
are cheaply rented near any large city or
village. The cottage may be ever so small
and humble, provided there is yard room
for the bee-hives. Bookkeeping has got
ten to be science. No longer are bee
stings feared by those who patiently learn
their ways; no longer are whole swarms
of these Industrious little creatures de-
stroyed in order to secure their treasures
of sweetness. On the contrary, bees be-
come really pets of those who take low
ing care of them; and to such perfection
has the art of raising honey been brought,
that not bee is sacrificed in taking away
the honey, and even the comb is saved
By new and very ingenious little ma
chine, the beautiful fresh combs, when
| taken from the hives, are deity unseal-
ed, the honey is extracted from the comb
on the principle of suction by air, and
the comb, perfectly uninjured, is return
ed to the hive only to be filled again.
and in very few days, by the bees. This
honey, the purest known, is put up in
sealed glasses, and is every day becom-
ing more staple article of food. The
feeding and keeping of bees is very east
ly learned, and is said by all who engage
in 1t to be a most delightful employment.
Two hundred and fifty dollars will stock
yard of bees that, with the proper care
will yearly yield 81 900 worth of honey
The raising of chickens and eggs for
market is another industry that requires
small capital, small strength and small
skill. The great Improvements that have
been effected in the methods of transport
| AAS SS6O AoNO given W J11o d
certain steady value that makes it most
attractive. We have in mind an elderly
compile, who, with one acre of ground,
500 hens and the assistance of one stout
German woman, raised 81 200 per year
income from the sale of the eggs and
chickens alone.
Silk culture has before been spoken of
in these columns. 1t is bound in time to
be a general industry in this country,
and will be particularly adapted to wOm-
en- and children But even now, in the
absence of any general cultivation of the
silk worm, any one having a little patch
of ground whereon can be planted few
mulberry trees, can procure cocoons and
start out for themselves. A single sheet
Of cocoons will, with but little care, ex-
cept at the winding season, produce $3.50
worth Of silk year, and for either the
eggs, cOcoons and raw silk, there is in
every city ready sale. Cocoons raised in
Missouri and Kansas are said to be equal
to the best Chinese cocoons.
If the thoughts and energies of people
could only be turned more to the under
taking and prosecution of such practical
and safe enterprises, instead of being
spent in bewailing the hardness of the
times, and in waiting for some sudden
great change for the better, which is not
going to come, it would help very mate
rally to solve the problem of work for
the unemployed, and lead to the return
of prosperity, comfort and peace.-St
Louis Post