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CEED ; and as we think, all the objections which have existed 

 against keeping bees, can be overcome by the improved meth- 

 ods 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 stock- 

 ing our county with merry buzzing swarms, to such an extent 

 that we shall furnish our own honey, and that too in goodly 

 quantity. Considerable honey is now brought from New 

 Hampshire and sold in this vicinity, large quantities of "West 

 India honey are also used here, yet it would not materially in- 

 terfere 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 qiiantities, 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 enquiring mind, to 

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

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

 of the life of the worker bee is about six months, never reach- 

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

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

 the age of four, and in extreme cases five or six years. We 

 can at any time find amusement and recreation going among 

 our hives on a warm day, when the bees are busy, listening to 

 their merry songs, and watching their gyral gambols, for al- 

 though provided with a sting they never use it except in self 

 defence, and we are satisfied if their habits were better under-, 

 stood, future committees on bread and honey would have not 

 only a more pleasant but a more onerous duty to perform. 

 Respectfully submitted, 



EDMUND SMITH, Chairman. 



