Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-12-17
4arm anD AonsebolD.
Bee Keeping.

Il is a matter of surprise that so few of |
our farmers keep bees. Many Of cur
towns contain not more than half dozen /
persons who attempt to Keep bees, and /
these usually keep not more than two or /
three swarins apiece. There il food in the |
many flowers and blossoms of the field. !
for bees, aud by u little effort the quantity |
might be greatly increased.
\ considerable addition to the revenue |
ct the farm might be made by keeping
few swarms Of these honey producers
One 81 the rarest and greatest of luxuries
woud be added To the tables of the cult
vators of the soil. An object of interest
and instruction would be added to the
home surrounding and prove benefit to
the chilGren.
In some parts OF Europe as many as 200O
hives are kept upon square mile. Wauld
II not be possible to keep as many in a
t0ca IN Maine! 1t has been estimated that
upon an average, every acre will produce
pound OF honey. At that rate a town.
ship OF 10000 acres ought to produce 90
COO pounds or ten tons Of honey. II would
surprise "a, would il not, were we To- hear
of = town somewhere in Maine where ten
tons of honey was produced in a single
season? Yet the very moderate estimate
of the capacities of each acre of land at
one ponnd of honey renders this large pro-
duct for "a single town among the POSSIBLE
tics.
y bouniiiul Providence has stored with
in every flower these sweet. aud is il the
part OF wise men 10 permit il to 90 To
waste. or 70 secure the harvesting o. II by
the busy uee>: Il is to be hoped that more
attention viii be given to this interest
lug subject.
The Keeping of bees is very suitable oc-
ffsrt ,-A rfrlL
women in this country who have found in
il not ouiy Il source of pleasure and profit.
but means most powerful for the promut-
iuE aud recovering of their health. 1t
brings them out doors much aud interests
them there. IL j. much more likely To i'm
prove ones health by being out-doors.
when there i some object of interest there
io Gail them OUT and engage their atlen-
ti"u. There are many rale-laced. slender
formed farmers daughters. whom bee
bccpiug and tending would benefit vastly
more than the money value Of the honey
would amount to. however successful the
enterprise proved ia that respect.
In,rc are sections la New York where
the area oi a few square miles has. ia ia
Nols.be season, produced Tor the marke,
over 10000 pounds of surplus honey
Hence, We are within bounds in our estl-
mates. because the actual results have
been such IL 10 Tar exceed them.
No iarm should be without its swarms
Of bees. No orchard should be deprived
ot tAc useful agencies of the bees ia the
important period OF the setting of the
iIuit. II i undoubtedly the case that the
produce .veuc~s OF our orchards has been
Impaired hy neglect 81 Keeping q few
- arms Of bees iu tho immediate vicinity.
The setting "f the fruit i promoted by the
work ui the bees in passing from blossom
- blossom and carrying the fcrtilizing pol
.gn from place 10 place.
The ana ot these little workers j. also
useful AID almost Indispensable in the gar
cen ard The field. The vines OF cucum-
h.r>. >qua>hcs and macy other plans are
ln great part dependant for their fruitful
mess upon their presence.
Now J. a good time 10 purchase few
sWa' n>. on ii ore has had no experience
perhaps il would be advisable 20 wait until
>prr- before purchasing Yet their sue
ct>>in. management j. not very difiicnli
and may be readily acquired Of any sue
cess hee-hccpcr or from some OF the
uaHu7is ou hev-hecpjng. No one. howey-
'r. should attempt thi, business with the
la'a THAT they VIII take care Of them
selves. They require the same aS any 9TH
'G animal. constant care and oversight If
YHU Wish 10 produce the bc,i results with
;Acu- There i not anything about the
farm that ihrvc> by neglect. except weeds
90 some other worthless Thing.