Transcriber Notes Text emphasis is displayed as _Italics_ and =Bold=. Whole and fractional parts of numbers are displayed as 2-1/2. * * * * * U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. FARMERS' BULLETIN No. 59. BEE KEEPING. BY FRANK BENTON, M. S., IN CHARGE OF APICULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS. =[Revised, March 1905.]= [Illustration] WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1905. * * * * * LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology, _Washington, D. O., March 1905._ Sir: Frequent inquiries from correspondents of the Department of Agriculture for information on matters pertaining to the culture of bees, and particularly as to the conditions under which one may reasonably expect to meet with success in this pursuit, led to the preparation of this bulletin in July, 1897. Though designed by the author primarily to answer a few of the specific questions which are most likely to present themselves to the mind of the inquirer wholly unfamiliar with the subject, the aim has been also to introduce in the treatment of the various topics information which it is hoped will lead many of longer experience into more successful methods than they have yet practiced. The stereotype plates of the earlier editions having become much worn, necessitating the resetting of the type of the entire bulletin, the opportunity has been afforded of inserting several new paragraphs and making a few slight changes in the text as heretofore published. Respectfully, L. O. Howard, _Entomologist,_ Hon. James Wilson, _Secretary of Agriculture,_ CONTENTS. Page.