272 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY OF chap. XIU, 



SECT. rill. BEES. 



IN the garden of almost every gentleman, a 

 few hives of bees are to be seen. Some of the 

 farmers also, and many of the tradesmen and 

 and mechanics keep them. But the breeding 

 of them is attended to by no individual as a 

 business. Few ever keep above six stock hives ; 

 and the greater part not so many. Whether 

 from the want of skill in the management, or 

 from climate or other local disadvantages, I pre- 

 tend not to say ; but the propagation of this 

 useful insect is considered here as a precarious 

 business, and seldom productive of much profit. 



