The arrangement of this book which introduces the reader to a difficult problem, probably the most difficult problem, in the craft of beekeeping, in the first chapters and does not tell the reader how to begin until nearly the end, may be unusual but it is not altogether illogical.
Every year persons who have begun beekeeping give up in despair because of the losses due to uncontrolled swarming and the formidable amount of labour required to apply the usual manipulative methods of control. The first object of this book is to reduce the wastage of these abortive beginnings by presenting to practising beekeepers a reasonable theory and simple straightforward methods, the adoption of which will enable each harassed beekeeper to become a joyous bee master.
Beekeeping in Britain has been perpetuated and extended as a result of the proselytising activities of beekeepers rather than as a direct result of organised instruction and its is hoped that craftsmen will be glad to adopt the labour-saving method of referring novices to chapter seven of this book for a sound series of steps to be taken by the beginner.
On the other hand the reader who takes up the craft of beekeeping as a result of the interest aroused by the early chapters of this book will find it no disadvantage to know that the difficulties of this fascinating craft are not insuperable before he reaches instructions for making a beginning–and the earlier chapters are always there for reference.
It is hoped that beekeepers will study authoritative works on special subjects, e.g., physiology and anatomy, or diseases, of the honey bee rather than regret the absence of instruction in those subjects in this small work.
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