Happy is the man with a bit of land. To work with living and growing things is to work in partnership with the creator and have a part in shaping the forces that move the world. Millions who live in large cities are deprived of the greatest of privileges and are hard put to make any contact with mother earth. In the congested districts where hundreds are crowded together in large apartments with no provision for lawn in front or garden behind, a canary and a geranium offer about the only outlet for this God given instinct.

Once when passing through St. Louis the author had occasion to call at a store in the down town district. Quite naturally the conversation turned to bees and the host enquired what bees could find for pasture in that neighborhood. Not dreaming that there could be any bees there, the reply was that as far as could be seen there was no place for a flower to grow within a considerable distance. He then took the author to the rear of the store where he had fifteen hives placed against the wall of the building. It was a mild winter day and the bees were flying out and apparently enjoying the sunshine. They were gentle Italian bees and did not in the least resent the visit although we walked close to the hives and even lifted them a bit in an effort to estimate the probable amount of honey which they might still contain.

Here was evidence that bees will go some distance in search of pasture when it becomes necessary. It is probable that the flight must be at least two miles to reach any worth while source of nectar. White Dutch clover on the lawns and maples, linden and other shade trees which yield nectar freely are of course to be found in the residence districts. These bees in the heart of a big city had harvested a very good crop of honey, one hive having filled four supers.

One thus finds bees in the most unexpected places. Sometimes a few hives are kept on the roof of a business building and sheltered from the wind by the fire wall. Again one finds them in an attic with an entrance through a window or an auger hole conveniently placed. Now and then they are even kept in a bedroom or living room with an opening which permits the bees to fly outside. Such hives are usually constructed with glass walls to permit the owner to observe their activities while preventing them escaping into the room.

Many a tired individual has found rest and relaxation at the end of a hard day with his bees. Not long ago the sales manager of a large manufacturing concern said that he could find more complete relaxation with his bees than with anything else in the world. Within a few minutes he could be completely oblivious to the existence of factories and machinery and sales quotas. He could forget every worry of the day and find as complete repose as a child in its mother's arms.

There is a fascination about a beehive that is to be found nowhere else. Merely to observe the activities of the busy insects furnishes a never failing interest to the nature lover. With a colony in a glass hive there is always something to see. Once a letter came from an invalid who had long been confined to his cot. With such a hive by his side he was able to pass pleasantly what would otherwise have been very tedious hours.

The field bees bring in nectar and pollen from the fields. The hive bees build combs, feed the young, attend the queen and carry out refuse. Even when the bees are unable to leave the hive on stormy days or during the cold of winter there is sufficient movement to hold one's interest and make one wonder just what is going on among them.

One of the most popular exhibits in the United States National Museum at Washington, was a colony of bees in a glass hive. The entrance to the hive was by means of a long pipe leading in from the back of the building. The bees thus went about their normal business unmindful of the fact that they were on display in an exhibition case. Probably but few persons who were amused by the show have an idea that the bees had a private entrance to the building.

Such an outfit can be set up in almost any situation at moderate expense. It is necessary of course to place the entrance where the flying bees are not likely to be disturbed by passing persons or animals. Some point at the back of a dwelling or business building is usually available where the bees can come and go at will without annoyance to anybody.

In the suburbs of a city or in the smaller towns where more room is available it is possible to keep a sufficient number of bees to provide some income as well as pleasure. Many persons thus provide substantial additions to their income in this manner. Even those who keep bees for the pleasure of their care are not likely to be unmindful of the advantage of a hobby that pays its way with something beside.