BEE KEEPING IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



85 



For purposes of comparison divide the State into two sections, the 

 eastern section to include Worcester County and all other eastern 

 counties save Barnstable County, which is not at all comparable 

 either in population or from an agricultural point of view. If these 

 two sections be contrasted, there will be found an obvious difference 

 in their population. In the eastern section the cities and towns arc 

 large and the population concentrated, while in the western part the 

 population is less dense and is thus far less influenced, on the whole, 

 by large communities than the eastern section. It is in the large 

 communities that bee keeping is usually promoted by supply houses 

 and conventions, and it is there also that the majority who seek rural 

 recreation along lines promoted by popular agricultural papers 

 reside. Consequently, it is to be expected that the progress and 

 stimulation of bee keeping, either as a recreation or an industry, 

 should first be felt in and adjacent to these communities. This is 

 precisely what is noticeable in Massachusetts. Back in the country 

 of the more strictly rural section of the State, where population 

 acquires but slowly the progressive impulses which are first launched 

 in the larger communities, there are fewer new or amateur bee 

 keepers than in the more thickly populated eastern section. In this 

 western section the ratio of beginners to advanced bee keepers is as 30 

 to 70 ; while in the eastern section, where are found two bee-keepers' 

 societies, the proportion of beginners is larger, with a possible ratio of 

 41 to 59. Aside from the influence of societies in the eastern section, 

 supply houses have had a noticeable effect in stimulating popular in- 

 terest and in promoting new and improved methods. As is pointed 

 out above, sensational stimulation is unfavorable to the industry. 



Table I. — Proportion of amateurs to practiced bee keepers in the eastern and 

 western sections of Massachusetts. 









Practiced bee keepers. 



Total 

 number 



Section of State. 



ers (5 years and 

 less). 



5 to 15 

 years. 



15 to 25 

 years. 



25 years 

 and over. 



Percent. 



of bee 

 keepers 

 report- 

 ing. 



West of Worcester County 



Worcester County and east, 

 exclusive of Barnstable 

 County 



Number. 

 95 



302 

 3 



Per cent. 

 30 



41 



Number. 

 105 



209 

 8 



Number. 

 56 



104 

 6 



Number. 

 67 



1 



70 

 59 



323 

 709 



Barnstable Countv 



18 











Total for the State 



400 



38 



322 



166 



162 



62 1,050 



