324 OVERSTOCKING. 



American Insects," by B. Jaeger, published in 1859, 

 explains why so many more bees are kept in some 

 countries than there are in others. 



" In some countries, bee culture has the preference 

 before all other agronomical occupations." 



In the same work I find the following : " There 

 is a ' Patriotic Apiarian Society of Bavaria ' which 

 is a most laudable institution, and its laws ought to 

 be translated into the language of every country 

 where bees are known. 



" It is not permitted for a peasant to have his own 

 apiary, but a particular favorable spot is pointed out 

 by the society, in which the different proprietors 

 deposit their hives. This place is under the man- 

 agement of a skillful apiarian, appointed by the 

 society ; and it is ordained that no more than one 

 hundred and fifty hives shall be kept in one place, 

 and each establishment must be four miles distant. 

 A trifling tax is levied upon each hive not belonging 

 to the society ; and thus the peasant looks forward, 

 at the end of the year, to a certain profit, with a 

 very slight outlay, and without any demand upon his 

 time or labor. Should a poor peasant wish to become 

 the proprietor of one or more hives, he applies to the 

 society, who immediately accede to his wishes, and 

 an annual reduction is made from his profits until the 

 society is repaid the value of the hive it has be- 

 stowed." 



Mr. Quinby, one of the most extensive and prac- 

 tical bee-keepers in the United States, gives his 

 opinion as follows : 



