PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Agricultural Experiment Station
Circular No. 61 LaFayette, Ind., April, 1917
BEES FOR THE FARMER
J. Troop	W. A. Price
It is not the object of this circular1 to discuss the finer points relating to beekeeping which sometimes puzzle the professional apiarist, but to give such practical hints as shall enable the amateur to engage in the business, on a small scale perhaps, but with pleasure and profit to himself and family. Although there have been many attempts by farmers and others, of Indiana, to keep bees, many of them have been unsuccessful mainly because of a lack of knowledge of the subject, or the unfitness of the person for the work. The number of inquiries along this line which have come to this department during the past year would indicate that farmers as well as those living in towns and villages and even cities, are anxious to learn how to keep bees.
A good strong colony of bees, given a good location, and during a fairly good season, should produce a surplus of from fifty to seventy-five pounds of honey. A half dozen colonies require but very little more time and attention than would one or two, hence it is readily seen that a man or woman can easily produce enough honey to supply the neighborhood, and at the same time add a goodly amount to the credit side of the ledger.
1 Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, and 9 and 10. Courtesy of The A. X. Root Company, Medina, Ohio
Figs. 7 and 8. Courtesy of the Bureau of Entomology, United States Department of Agriculture