Bee Keeping for Profit. A New System of Bee Management (1880) / First Edition.

Mrs. Lizzie E. Cotton
A NEW SYSTEM
Bee Management,
FIRST EDITION.
WEST GORHAM, MAINE.
ILLUSTRATED.
1880.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, by MRS. LIZZIE. E. COTTON, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
In presenting this work I have no apology to make. After an experience with bees dating almost from childhood, and a careful study of all works published on the subject of bees, and the journals devoted to that particular branch of rural affairs, I find theory, guess-work, prejudice and selfish motives are so prevalent, as to confuse and discourage the beginner , and finally, all who are seeking after information by which they may make bee keeping a source of profit, and who wish to adopt a correct and scientific system of bee management.
In my early efforts at bee keeping, I met with many failures and heavy losses, from being confused by the contradictory teachings of selfish or ignorant bee keepers, and from a lack of that personal knowledge which experience, and a close study of the nature and habits of bees has now placed in my possession. After many unsuccessful experiments, and careful investigation, and a close study of the natural habits and instincts of bees, I have succeeded in inventing a hive and new system of bee management which completely changes the whole process of bee keeping, and renders the business safe , pleasant and profitable .
The hive and system of bee management recommended in these pages is entirely original with me, and is not patented. I invented the hive and plan of management for my own use, as I am engaged in raising honey for market, and wish every swarm of bees I keep to produce the greatest possible amount of surplus honey, and in the most convenient and attractive marketable form. I am induced to place this work before the public at the earnest and oft repeated requests of friends and correspondents. The work has been hurriedly written, as I had but little spare time to devote to this matter, consequently sentences are not all, perhaps, grammatically arranged. I have made the beautiful of secondary importance to the useful. I have endeavored, however, to make my statements so clear as to be readily understood and comprehended by every person of intelligence, although he may be wholly unacquainted with bee keeping.