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30 Kelly Street Greenock, Scotland, 13th Nov r? 1882. Mr deleted Robert John Muir, Sir, I hope you will pardon the
presumption of addressing you, whom I do not know, except through your writings. I can fancy you deluged with enquiries of
this sort, and so, if you do not find time to reply, I will make for you, that excuse. I have been casting about for some
time, for some means of entering upon a rustic life, as I find confinement does not suit my health, and besides I have a little
of that lore for nature, for which you are so distinguished. Your very pleasant articles on Bee Culture. in the Century
Magazine led my thoughts in that direction, and I now venture to ask you for some information on the following points which
from your knowledge of the district I think you can easily give. 1st How many hives swarms would it be necessary to star with?
Could these be easily procured and at what cost? What is the average return per hive per ann illegible ? or, without going
into details, if you could give me an idea of the capital required to enable one to secure a livelihood out of the business,
it would do quite as well. -