Apicultor

The number of the unions themselves reached 108 at the end of 1900;—693 on December 31st 1903,— and was distributed as follows: 147 farmers’ unions, 87 of cattle breeders, 25 of avicultors, 12 of apicultors, 1 of horticultors, 1 of dairy owners, 1 of viticultors, and 1 of horticultors-apicultors; besides 6 federations of farmers’ unions, forming an aggregate of 612 associations for the agricultural professions.

If [Maurice] Maeterlinck’s “Life of Bees” is a fine work of art, it is not only because the author is a distinguished writer, but because he was himself acquainted with bees, being an apicultor, and did not make his book a mere compilation of other scientific works.

As regards the methods of production of Royal Jelly which is such an instable and fragile substance, you seem to know all about the matter; but let me just draw your attention to the fact that in France apicultors have completely abandoned the production of natural cells and that even the grafting of larvae is in noticeable regression. The principle which seems to have the apicultors’ favour is a sort of Halley’s improved process which leads to a high production with a minimum of hives. […] As you will observe, everything agrees for the welfare of the public and the prosperity of the corporation of apicultors, who up to now were none too rich, is quite obvious.

To propitiate the improvement of apiaries, the Department has given away a great number of selected nucleus of bees of Italian origin from the Rural School of El Peñón, Barahona, as well as from the beehives of apicultors in the National District; Las Lisas, Miches; and Tabara Arriba, Azua. Modern equipment also has been given to apicultors who are interested in the project.

Any time I go to the beehives to take care of the colonies, I wear protective gear. I am an apicultor—a beekeeper.