DO BEES PAY?

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 125, 24 October 1885, Page 7

DO BEES PAY?

From a commercial point of view I know nothing that gives greater returns for money invested than a few stocks of bees. Even if they were cultivated for wax only 10 per cent, would be certain ; and the trouble to obtain this would not be more than that of attending to aiy other business. In good seasons a surplus of lOOlbs. of honey on an average can be taken from each stock. Surely he must be of a rery sordid nature who dares to say that 500 per cent, is not a paying concern. A word of advice, however, may not be out of place here to those about to embark in bee-keeping. They would do well to weigh the matter thoroughly and make up their minds to meet occasionally with disappointment. Bad years are not uncommon, and the very time the bee master is in the highest spirits he may meet the greatest rebuff. The experienced bee-master, accustomed to such things, receives it coolly, and undaunted prepares for the future in the hope that bad times are past, and a rich harvest is still in store as the reward of perserverance. The novice often acts differently. He meets misfortune and disappointment with grumbling and remorse, " casting the cog frae him when the cow flings," injudiciously abandoning bee-keeping as he extravagantly began it, declaring it all loss and no profit ; whereas had he persevered, been less sanguine with a little more determination, continuing his project judiciously, success would have been certain. Tue culture of bees is a question of great moment, and at the same time different journals speak encouragingly of it. So we advise that every one having jan oppoi (.unity should keep bees, but with the advice to keep them in moderation. D<> not abandon other legitimate work, expecting a fortune. Strike in at the medial line and keep as many as is convenient for your own spare time and no more. The time is not out of my memory when economy was more studied | than in the present day, and I have known young men investing in hogs to the amount of £20, running the wlnle risk of wintering, &c, and in the spring uig'ily pleased with a profit of little over £2 on the lot. Now lot any one lay half that on bees, and, if a good year presents itself, the owner may fin I himj self in possession of £20 after paying all expenses. What then is a better [.paying item than a few stocks of bees ? } Amid the conflicting statements of different writers, many must get bewil lered ; but to those who are about to start bee keeping I would say before <loing so, if ignorant of the art, visit some well-conducted apiary during" the season, even should it be some distance away. You will learn more and gain more experience and confidence by one visit than you will be able to acquire by much reading If honey is at all in quality and appearance what it should be, there will be — at least there always has been — a market for it. By adopting modern hives and appurtenances, the quality will be improved and the demand increased. Honey should be in every house : anl from its medicinal qualities, I should say it ought to be used extensively in the army and navy. — A Lanarkshire Beekeeper.