New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-05
THE IDEAL "BEE WOMAN"
HOW SHE WOULD MANAGE HER COLONIES
OF BUSY WORKERS-HER ATTRIBUTES.

I'm this day. when many doors are opening to
women, 1 surprised that so few adopt beekeep-
ing a means of support" says bee
keeper. "A bee woman who would succeed must
have lots Of energy and push. and, above all.
not be easily discouraged She be willing
work hard and often early and late during part of
the year. Furthermore. she must have come under
the fascinating spell which the busy bee seems TO
have such power to throw over those who seek to
know her mysteries
LAS beekeeper she NUT have n good degree OF
health and vigOr especially II she works without
assistant because there is OF necessity much
lifting and ofter many hours upon the feet. Yet
it is surprising how much hard work can
endure in the open air when ones interest Is thor
oughly enlisted. There Is probably more health
full occupation and for those broken health from
mental overwork or close confinement indoors the
business is ideal.
1T is necessary that a woman should have
no fear Of bees the start IN order 10 become a
successful apiarist. Such fea-. of course, be
overcome rapidly or prove an inconvenient OBJ
stacle; but expericnce shows that acquaintance
pleasant character between the busy little honey
makers and their owners To be sure, there are
FdEtu6ateiv tb@ bTmaS systen soon bacomes I'M
mune to the poison. and beyond mOmentary
plsasantness the beekeepcr takes little notice Of
the matter. Occasionally person fails to win i'm
munity from suffering, and even finds it dangerous
to risk being stung Such persons should give up
all thought OF Bookkeeping
The ideal bee woman will be willing to go
sloWly-Very SlOWly-at nTSJ The tendency is TO
want to rush things and begin with a large number
OF colonies when knows nothing whatever
about the business. Two three colonies are
enough first II she succeeds with these. she can
easily increase the number, and II she fails. her
loss will be great enough. II is safe advice to
the beginner TO keep out OF debt nearly
possible. After the first investment for two or
three colonies IL is better make the apiary pay
its way nearly possible
From the nature of thngs-the varablencsS OF
the season the varied honey flow. etc.-beekeeping
always must be uncertain business. and. there
fore II is well depend entirely upon ii for a
living. A good way Is to combine poultry raising
and fruitgrownE with II. Women adopts in
both Of these lines and few stands of bees will
add materially to the income and not demand too
large part Of ones time. Then. if the is
poor, more attention be given to poultry and
less TO bees and vice
The profits from Bookkeeping necessarily vary
largely. Much depends upon the knack Of the bee
keeper in being able to get her colonies into prime
working order just at the right time, and man
age her business as 10 keep expenses down and to
market her honey advantageOusly. In Salt
River, Ariz., where conditions in many respects
favorable. IT is common TO hear experienced
heekeepers claim an average annual net income Of
SO and 81 a colony.
Il should contemplating beckeepinE
invest in one or more good textbooks upon the
subject and subscribe to at least reliable bee
journal. II this investment is made for six months
before the purchase of the first bees and the inter
vening time is faithfully spent in study. much
the better.