"Out of print," though a somewhat laconic, might be a not inappropriate preface to this second edition, and of itself a quaint apology for its appearance. Out of print is certainly exhilarating news to the author anxious for the success of a work inculcating a new system of Bee-management, in which not only is his reputation as an apiarian involved and evolved, but, it may be, the very means of his subsistence are bound up in it; the oftener therefore he hears the bibliopolist expression—out of print—the more animating and welcome it becomes; because its reiteration can hardly fail to be considered by him an indication that the demand for his book continues.—that his system is progressing,—or, at any rate, that either curiosity respecting it, or some higher and more laudable motive, is still existent in the public mind. Thus cheered on, thus, as it were, encored, it has become his duty to the public no less than to himself to proceed forthwith to the publication of a new edition.

Previously, however, to stating what alterations, emendations, &c. have been introduced in order to render the work, as far as I am yet able to render it, worthy a continuance of public patronage, I consider it to be my duty to record my grateful thanks for the success and encouragement I have already received.

To the scientific and literary press, and to the several gentlemen of scientific attainments connected therewith, who, by their influence and kind professional assistance, and promptitude in the furtherance of my interest, have greatly contributed to my success, my best thanks are due, and are hereby respectfully tendered: amongst these I have sincere pleasure in particularizing Dr. Birkbeck—the talented President of the London Mechanics' Institution,—Dr. Hancock—Fellow of the Medico-Botanical Society—a veteran of high and esteemed attainments,—and Mr. Booth—the popular Lecturer on Chemistry—a young man of first-rate abilities.

To J. C. London—the erudite editor of the Gardeners' Magazine,—to E. J. Robertson, Esq.—the able and ingenious editor of the Mechanics' Magazine,—to Richard Newcomb—the editor and publisher of the Stamford Mercury,—and to the several editors of the Metropolitan and Provincial Press, who have made favourable mention of my labours, my public thanks are justly due,—and particularly to the editor of the Cambridge Quarterly Review, for a highly commendatory notice of my work, evidently written by a practical apiarian, and with competent knowledge of his subject, which appeared in No. 3 of that Review, published in March 1834. Also to my long-tried, worthy Friend—George Neighbour—it is gratifying to me to have this opportunity of offering my sincere thanks for his valuable services in my behalf;—and to the conductors of those excellent and useful institutions—the National Gallery of Practical Science, Adelaide Street,—and the Museum of National Manufactures, Leicester Square, London, I gratefully acknowledge myself to be under no slight obligations for the advantageous opportunities which I have there possessed of extending the knowledge of my system, and of exhibiting, year after year, to thousands of visitors, the products of my apiary.

With the view of making "The Humane Management of Honey-Bees" more interesting, the dialogue, which formed the introductory chapter in the first edition, has been withdrawn, and in its place have been substituted some valuable remarks of Dr. Birkbeck, Dr. Hancock, and Mr. Booth, respecting Bees, honey, wax, &c. of course the first chapter is new; as is chapter X. giving an account of the apiary of the Most Noble the Marquess of Blandford, at Delabere Park, which can hardly fail of being interesting to every reader: it is principally from the able pen of Mr. Booth. Chapter XVIII. on Apiarian Societies, is new also. And, besides these three entire chapters, not short paragraphs merely, but whole pages of new matter have been introduced interspersedly by my most respected friend—the Rev. T. Clark, of Gedney-Hill, who has revised, corrected, and re-arranged the whole; and who has not only bestowed much time and pains upon the improvement of my work, but in the kindest and most disinterested manner has, in superintending this and the former edition through the press, actually travelled upwards of eight hundred miles. The friendly performer of services so generous, so laborious, and so perseveringly attended to, without any stipulation for fee or reward, merits from me, and has from me, every expression of my gratitude, and, were it in my power, should have one expression more.

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