, 1908-06-13

nations by the British Bee-keepers' Assocla-
ton. The certificates represent three grades
of proficiency, the two higher ones being
obtainable only by candidates showing con-
siderable knowledge and ability, both theo-
reticahand practical. Again, very important
services are rendered to bee-keepers oil over
the country by the British Bee Jo"r"01:
This excellent weekly periodical is edited
by two gentlemen of large experience and
very wide acquaintance with the literature
and working of agriculture. Reports of the
meetings of the British and county associa-
tions are given. Questions are asked OF the
editors by bee-keepers, who find themselves
in all sorts of difficulties, and, as both in
q%uiries and replies are printed, a large
amount of useful information is thus cup
piled for the general good.
AS to the actual number of people with
apiaries, no thoroughly trustworthy statis-
tics for the whole of England are in exis-
tence. Careful inquiries have, however,
been instituted in several counties, and the
best authorities have computed that in the
British Isles there are 10000 bee-keepers,
and in England alone there are about 63, 900
in our rural districts. The honey imports
from abroad, amounting in value to more
tan 100000 per annum, show that the Lome
production is not equal to the demand.
Moreover, the low price Of the foreign pro-
duct proves the superior quality Of what is
Obtained from our own bees.
The passing of the Small Holdings Act
opens up u new vista for several minor in
du~ tries. In fact, for the successful work
ing Of the Act more than one item in la
petite culture will be requisite. The keeping
of pigs and possibly of goa. 8 the rearing of
poultry, and the planting OF many kinds Of
fruit trees will doubtless receive considerable
development. Noteworthy periods of time,
however, will be needed Def re any large
returns come from these sources for the ex-
penLiture Of capital and labour. Bee-keep-
ing, on the other hand, may show a profit
worth having III the first season in which it
is undertaken, and when fair mounts of
knowledge and skill have been acquired, @
high rate of interest on the outlay may be
definitely expected. In elucidation Of this
statement we may mention that in May or
June-the most favourable months for be-
ginning an apiary-well- stocked hives may
be bought for from 25s. to 35'. each. If
swarms nre preferred they nly be had at
prices varying from los. to 81. and new
hives for their reception, with frames fur
nished with sheets Of 'foundation'' can be
had Scr SUNS ranging from 15s. to 25s.
Now since, taking an average of years, the
EenJ UltCIlOI IClcS Oh Gl0 SuOJ6CG auCR9 JnlU q
return Of FL per hive may ke looked for
Annually. it is evident that beekeeping skill
fully CARED on is very profitable from a
money point Of view. That the above esti-
mate is by no means exaggerated may be
seen from the fact that with modern meth
DDS and experienced management. it is no
uncommon event for from sob. to Cob of
surplus honey to be taken in one season
from a single hive. Under the antiquated
plan of keeping bees in 'skeps" (old-fash-
toned straw hives( a yield of 15fb. to 2Ofb.
was considered very satisfactory, but the
honey squeezed out of the combs was often
far from good in quality, being mixed with
undesirable debris from the cells. The
means by which present-day methods effect
such vast improvements in both the quantity
and purity of the produce taken may be
briefly described.
The term foundation refers to thin
sheets of wax uniformly impressed with
exact reproductions of the bases of the cells
which bees construct. These sheets cut TO
fit either sections" or shallow frames"
and fixed in them, are of immense adyan-
tage TO the bees. In the first place, since from
Alb. to 15fb. of honey are consumed by the
workers for the secretion of lib, wax, q
great saving of vital energy is secured bv
the artificial Foundation of combs. Then.