206 
THE farmer’s manual. 
The profit which is obtained from the Bee, stands 
in no proportion to the little trouble and time required 
in their culture, and this is sufficient to induce those 
who estimate things properly, to give a preference to 
the culture of the Bee, above all other agricultural 
pursuits, especially as no sacrifice of time or proper- 
ty are required, and no extensive capital necessary. 
As a proof of the importance attached to the culture 
ot the Bee, Wildrnan quotes a modern author, who 
affirms, that when the Rogians took possession of the 
Island of Corsica, they imposed a tribute of wax on 
the inhabitants, to the amount of 200.000 pounds an- 
nually ; supposing the Island retained the same quan- 
tity, that would give 400.000 pounds per annum made 
in one Island by this wonderful insect. The known 
proportion of wax to honey in a hive, is as 1 to 15 
or 20; then multiply 400,000 pounds by 15 or 20. we 
have G or 8 millions of pounds of honey, independent 
of the wax as above; what a source of wealth fpr 
Corsica, and all countries which will profit by the im- 
provement. 
1 have before me a French news- pa per of the 20th 
of September, 1787, which states, under an aiticle, 
dated Hanover, August 30th, “ The culture of the 
Bee is a particular object with the Hanoverians; the 
produce of wax thi.s year is estimated at .300,0001bs. ; 
this, multiplied by 15, gives 4,500,000lbs. of hoiiey ; 
a most incredible quantity to be collected in globules 
by a particular species of insect.” The 'rurks* derive 
great profits from the culture of the Bee. The im- 
mense quantities of wax the Europeans annually draw 
from Smyrna, Salonichi, and the Morea, are well 
known. Paysonnec, on the commerce of the Turks 
on the Black Sea, says, Wax is the most important 
article in the commerce of Moldavia and Wallachia. 
Speaking of Bulgaria, he says. An immense quantity 
of wax IS exported from Bulgaria; it is yellon, and 
of an excellent quality. I'he Bee nourishes wi II in 
all parts ol the world, in China, Siberia, Lapland, 
