228 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



many more points in bee-keeping upon "whicli we might touch, 

 but we have already occupied more space than we intended. 



In conclusion, we would advise every bee-keeper to purchase 

 a copy of Langstroth's book, (third edition,) whether they use 

 his hive or not ; we are satisfied it will be money well invested. 

 Huber, Bevan and other Europeans have written good books, but 

 they are not exactly fitted to this continent. Many books on 

 the bee have been published in this country, some of them good, 

 many of them worthless. One copies Bevan's preface entirely 

 without giving credit ; the sole object of some seem to be, to 

 abuse and villify Huber long after he occupies his grave. 

 Langstroth goes forward in his work, turning neither to the 

 right nor left, and our opinion is that any person studying his 

 book, and managing his bees by its teachings, must succeed; 

 and as we think all the objections which have existed against 

 keeping bees can be overcome by the improved methods of 

 management, and the prices of all saccharine matter will probably 

 rule high for many years to come, we hope to see an interest 

 awakened on this subject, which will result in stocking our 

 county with merry buzzing swarms, to such an extent that we 

 shall furnisli our own honey, and that too in goodly quantity. 

 Considerable honey is now brought from New Hampsliire and 

 sold in this vicinity, large quantities of West India honey are 

 also used here ; yet it would not materially interfere with the 

 other duties of the citizens of our county to keep bees enough 

 on our own territory, so that every year we might have a large 

 margin for exporting. Although nature has not given the cane, 

 or any other plant producing sugar in large quantities, yet, 



" God gives man reason, he is taught 

 To make the strength of beasts his own, 

 Their several qualities are brought 

 Into his service." 



And we can take advantage of this in the management of bees ; 

 and then, too, it is really a pleasure, to an inquiring mind, to 

 study the habits of this little wonder, so busy (if the conditions 

 are right,) during its short season for labor — for the length of 

 the life of the worker bee is about six months, never reaching 

 one year. The life of the male or drone is about four 

 months, while the queen, " sole monarch of the hive," reaches 



