PROFITS. 47 
one thousand hives are often congregated inautumn at one point in the 
heaths of Germany.” It is common to find in different parts of Ger- 
many, from twenty-five to five hundred colonies collected at a single 
point. In Lunenburg, a province in Hanover, it is estimated that there 
are found about 600,000 hives, making 141 colonies to every square 
mile; and yet it is maintained by German writers, that an overstocking 
of the country is out of the question. “ Whatever might-be supposed 
possible as an extreme case, it was certain, as ié regards the Kingdom 
of Hanover, it could not be even remotely apprehended, that too many 
apiaries would ever be established, and that consequently the greatest 
possible multiplication of colonies might safely be aimed at and 
encouraged.” When we, in a country as fertile and abundant in 
honey-bearing flowers as Germany, shall have apiaries containing hun- 
dreds, and even many thousands, it will do for us to begin to talk about 
overstocking the country, better than at present. 
’ Gi APT Ray 
PROFITS. 
-BrExE-KEEPING has been considered profitable in some instances 
where one-half the stock has been destroyed, (‘‘ brimstoned,”) in order 
to get possession of the honey. It will be doubly so if all the Bees are 
kept alive, and are profitably employed. In some instances, they have 
been tortured or compelled to work in ways and in circumstances 
so much at variance with their stereotyped habits, that the profits, 
otherwise resulting from their labors, have been greatly diminished. 
In Germany, Bee-keepers are accustomed to increase their profits by 
a multiplication of colonies, instead of managing a few in the best 
manner. In 1801, Ehrenfels had 1000 hives, and received a net 
yield of $2 per hive. It is alleged, that “the Bees of Lunenburg pay 
all the taxes assessed upon their proprietors, and leave a surplus 
besides.” I would here refer to Mr. Dzierzon’s success, as stated in the 
Westminster Review, for October, 1852. “In 1835 he commenced 
Bee-keeping, in the common way, with twelve colonies, and after 
various mishaps, which taught him the defects of the common hives, 
and the old mode of management, his stock was so reduced that in 
