The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-09-04
THE IDEAL BEE WOMAN"
How She Would Manage Her Colo
nies of Busy Workers-Her
Attributes,

Attributes.
I'm this day, when so many doors
are opening to women, | am surprised
that so few adopt beekeeping as a
means of support" says a woman bee
keeper "A bee woman who would
succeed must have lots of energy and
push, and, above all, must not be cas-
lily discouraged. She must be willing
to work hard, and often early and
late during part of the year. Further
more, 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 mys-
teries.
"As beekeeper she must have good
degree of health ad vigor, especially
if she works without an assistant, be-
cause there is of necessity much lift
ing, and often many hours upon the
feet. Yet it is surprising how much
hard work one can endure in the open
air when ones interest is thoroughly
enlisted. There is probably no more
healthful occupation, and for those
broken in health from mental over
work or close confinement indoors the
business is ideal.
1T is not necessary that woman
should have no fear of bees on the
start in order to become a successful
apiarist. Such fear, of course, must
l la ,,iIlxr n~ nn in.
convenient obstacle; but experience
shows that acquaintance rarely fails
to establish relationships of the most
pleasant character between the busy
little honey makers and their owners.
! To be sure, there are the stings, and
one must make up her mind to re-
ceive them occasionally as gracefully
as possible. Fortunately the human
system soon becomes immune to the
poison, and beyond momentary un-
pleasantness the beekeeper takes lit
tie notice of the matter. Occasionally
| person fails to win immunity from
suffering, and even finds it dangerous
to risk being stung. Such persons
should give up all thought of bee.
keeping.
"The ideal bee woman will be will
ing to go slowly-very slowly-at first
The tendency is to want to rush things
and begin with large number of colo
MES when one knows nothing what
ever about the business. Two or
three colonies are enough at first. II
she succeeds with these, she can cas-
lily increase the number, and If she
fails, her loss will be great enough
1t is safe advice to urge the beginner
to keep out of debt as nearly as posi-
bic. After the first investment fol
two or three colonies it is better tc
make the apiary pay its way as nearly
as possible.
From the nature of things--the va
riableness of the season, the variet
honey flow, etc.-beekeeping alway.
must be an uncertain business, and
therefore, it is not we'll to depend en-
tirely upon it for living. A goot
way is to combine poultry raising ant
fruitgrowing with it. Women arr
adopts in both of these lines, and
few stands of bees will add material.
to the income and not demand to'
large part of ones time. Then II thu
season is poor, more attention can b'
given to poultry and less to bees, ant
vice versa.
"The profits from beekeeping neces
sarily vary largely. Much depend
upon the knack of the beekeeper II
being able to get her colonies int
prime working order just at the righ
time, and so manage her business a
to keep expenses down and to marke
her honey advantageously. 1u Sal
River, Ariz., where conditions in man
respects are favorable, it is commo
} to hear experienced beekeepers clair
an average annual net income of 5
! and even "a a colony.
"I should urge one contemplatin
bee-keeping to invest in one or NOR
} good textbooks upon the subject an
subscribe to at least one reliable be
journal. II this investment is mad
, for six months before the purchase {
, the first bees and the intervening tim
2 is faithfully spent in study, SO muc
D the better