I want to endorse what Chuck and Ron have said about the advisability of
subscribing to a beekeeping magazine.  I can't imagine why more beekeepers
do not do so.

We advertise monthly in both of the US magazines, and sometimes we can track
some percentage of sales based on that advertising.  I also keep a highly
informal count on the number of beekeepers who belong to some of the bee
clubs.  Finally, we have some information on the number of catalogs mailed
by some of the dealers.

As close as I can tell, there are somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000
beekeepers in the US.  The number who make an annual purchase from at least
one dealer seems to be closer to 100,000 than 200,000.  (I personally know
beekeepers who take great pride in not having to make annual purchases from
a dealer.)

In speaking about the magazines, Chuck said "World's most easily and most
widely read beekeeping periodical, "Bee Culture".  Since the magazines use
the US Postal Service for mailing, their subscription numbers are public
information and as an advertiser I have to know there things.
Unfortunately, Chuck is in error and the subscription list of ABJ is FAR
larger than that of Bee Culture.

But Bee Culture is certainly a fine magazine that all hobbyists and
sideliners should subscribe to and one that I would not do without.

The number of US beekeepers who subscribe to either magazine does not exceed
25,000, which is a relatively small percent of total beekeepers.  Too bad.

Lloyd
Lloyd Spear, Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacturers of Ross Rounds Comb
Honey Equipment, Sundance Pollen Traps
and Custom Printer of Sundance Labels.

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