Apiarian societies in the United States 110 Apiarian journals 8 Steam factories for the manufacture of beehives and apiarian implements 15 Honey produced in the United States in 1869 (according to United States Census Report) pounds 14,702,815 Honey produced in the United States in 1889 (according to United States Census Report) pounds 63,894,186 Persons engaged in the culture of bees (estimated) 300,000 Honey and wax produced, at wholesale rates (Eleventh Census) $7,000,000 Mr. Benton's estimate of the present annual value of apiarian products $20,000,000 As supplementary to these figures it may be stated that in addition to the 15 steam-power factories there is a very largo number of smaller factories, using mainly hand and horse power, which are engaged in the production of supplies, such as hives, smokers, honey extractors, sections, comb foundation, and other apiarian apparatus. It is estimated by Mr. Benton that the present existing flora of the United States could undoubtedly support, with the same average profit, ten times the number of colonies of bees it now supports. This branch of agricultural industry does not impoverish the soil in the least, but, on the contrary, results in better seed and fruit crops. The total money gain to the country from the prosecution of this industry would undoubtedly be placed at several times the amount given in the table above were we only able to estimate in dollars and cents the result of the work of bees in cross fertilizing the blossoms of fruit crops. In support of this it is only necessary to refer to the fact that recent investigations by another division of this Department have shown that certain varieties of pear are nearly or quite sterile unless bees bring pollen from other distinct varieties for their complete cross fertilization. I respectfully recommend the publication of this manual as No. 1 of the new series of bulletins of this Division. Respectfully, L. O. Howard, _Entomologist_. Hon. James Wilson, _Secretary of Agriculture_. PREFACE.