From the *Household Cyclopedia* printed in 1881:
 
 
                     "BEES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT
 
                             Who should keep Bees.
 
     Bee-keeping is now admitted, both in this country and in Europe, to
be one of the most profitable rural pursuits. Perhaps in no other branch
can so large and sure profit be  secured in proportion to the capital
and labor necessary to be invested. One hundred to five hundred per
cent, has often been realized in a single season, where intelligent
care has been given these little insects; and there are instances
recorded of even greater returns from them in unusually good seasons.
This business is made by many intelligent persons a specialty, but it is
not necessary that This should be the case, indeed until the
honey resources of the United States are better developed, it is
important that all classes should be made acquainted with the facts."
 
For the entire article go to the Household Cylopedia site and click on
Beekeeping:
           http://members.xoom.com/mspong/
 
Best wishes,
Joseph