EEPOET OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 343 



cording to conservative estimates w© have now a total of three millions 

 of colonies of bees, which anaually yield 120,000,000 poanda of houoy. 

 TLo value of the annnal product, at an average of 15 cents p«r pound, 

 would be $18,000,000." 



The estimated annual product ranges from $15,000,000 to $20,000,000, 

 and the aunual product of wax is about $1,000,000 in value. 



Xot more than 8 or 10 -per cent, of those favorably situated for the 

 cultivation of bees are engaged in the pursuit. If even ouohalf of 

 those favorably situated were so engaged, the annual product would 

 not fall below $75,000,000 or $80,000,000 in value. 



The United States imported 2,400,000,000 pounds of sugar, at a cost 

 of $94,923,500, in the year 1881. 



A large percentage of these imports do not bring with them a charac- 

 ter above suspicion. Instead of being importers we should be exporters 

 of sweets, with the balance largely in our favor. Instead of paying tlieir 

 money for the vile adulterations of foreign importj^tions, our agricultur- 

 ists should gather the puie and wholesome nectar annuallj' wasted in 

 their own fields. 



The degree of skill necessary to engage successfully in the cultivation 

 of bees and the production of honey is not greater than that required 

 in keeping a dairy and producing good dairy products. The difierence 

 is in kind, not in degree, of skill, and one is as easily acquired as the 

 other. 



That reliable reports concerning this industry may be funished in 

 the bulletins and annual reports of the Department of Agriculture is 

 earnestly wished for by all progressive bee-keepers. 



Keports giving the number of colonies in the several States and Ter- 

 ritories on the 1st day of June, and crop reports of apiarian products 

 the 1st day of August and the 1st day of October of each year, would 

 be of very great value. 



The facilities possessed by the Department of Agriculture, through 

 their correspondents, furnishes the best means for obtaining reliable 

 statistics and crop reports. That such facts and statistics may be fur- 

 nished in the bulletins and reports of the Department is earnestly 

 desired. 



[Note. — The " Notes of tlie year," referred to in the introduction, are excluded by 

 the limit as to space allowed for this report. — C. V. R.] 



