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 g?f ^r^^Uz^j /grj, . 
 
THE 
 
 •Antlent Bee-Mafter's Farewell ; 
 ■ "i 
 
 OK, 
 
 FULL AND PLAIN DIRECTIONS 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 Management of Bees to the great eji Advantage; 
 
 DISCLOSING 
 
 FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS ' 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HIVES, BOXES, AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS, TO 
 
 FACILITATE THE OPERATIONS; 
 
 Especially that of sep bating Double and TrebJeHives or Boxes, 
 ivith Certainty and Safety, 'without injtir'mg the Bees ; 
 
 INTERSPERSED WITH 
 
 NEW BUT IMPORTANT OBSERVATIONS: 
 
 The whole Jludioujly adapted to general use; 
 
 WITH 
 
 AN APPROPRIATE METHOD FOR THE CURIOUS. 
 
 i 
 
 ALSO 
 
 BRIEF REMARKS ON SCHIRACH }< 
 
 And other diftingirified Apators on the Continent. 
 
 DEDUCED FROM A SERIES OF EXPERIMENTS DURING 
 THIRTY YEARS. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES. 
 
 " Multum in Parvo." 
 
 Br JOHN KEYS, of, Bee-Hall, near Pembroke, 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR G. G. AND J. ROBINSON, 
 PATERNOSTER-ROW. 
 
 1796. 
 
 - ■ 
 
SFS^B 
 
 d^0G^3 
 
w 
 
 £J 
 
 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 K > 
 
 IMPROVEMENTS iii the management 
 of Bees, among farmers and cottagers, have 
 been but little advanced, notwithftanding 
 the many ingenious contrivances which have 
 been offered to public notice ; probably from 
 being too operofe and experijive for people of 
 4 that defcription, to whom, in common, the 
 management of bees is generally of trifling 
 
 concern. 
 
 Whether my prefent attempt will fucceed 
 <r> better, time mult decide. My utmoft exer- 
 tions have been directed to the "remedy of 
 the defect ; which, it is hoped, I have 
 greatly advanced, if not perfected as far as 
 our unfavourable climate will admit. 
 *J Additional profits, in moil cafes, are una- 
 S voidably attended with fome increafe of 
 ;: B 3 expence. 
 
 ^ 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 expence. But from the impartial efiimate 
 I have ftated (page 60), it will be afcer- 
 tained, that the management there propofed 
 far overbalances the extra expence, and 
 therefore will merit the adoption of Bee- 
 keepers, and, perhaps, the patronage of 
 Agricultural Societies. 
 
 By perfons of a higher clafs a trifle of 
 additional expenditure will not be regarded, 
 in eomparifon of the convenience and fafety 
 with which the operations may be effected : 
 to fay nothing of the gratification of philofo- 
 phic curiofity, together with fuperior profit. 
 
 Near the dole of the year 1 780, I ven- 
 tured to publifh a work of this kind, accord- 
 ing to the bell of the knowledge and expe- 
 rience I had then attained. Since that time, 
 having no avocation to withdraw my at- 
 tention from my favourite purfuit y and en- 
 couraged by the favourable reception of that 
 work, 1 now, in the vale of life, fubmi't this 
 treatife, as the rejult of all my refearchea; 
 drawn from a much longer and more affi- 
 duous experience, and from a cooler judg- 
 ment, ripened by numberlefs experiments, 
 which have led me to new obfervations and 
 
 improve* 
 
PREFACE. Vil 
 
 improvements, and to differ alfo not more 
 from myjilftha.11 from all others. 
 
 Inftead of a fecbnd edition of my former 
 publication, a new book became neceffary, 
 as moft part of my prefent management is 
 on a different plan ; and much tautology and 
 fuperfluityofmatterdemandedcurtailing,and 
 a more judicious arrangement of the whole. 
 
 No article inculcated ia thefe pages is 
 advanced without its being warranted by 
 my own experience, unbiaffed by any au- 
 thor, however other wife refpe&able. Where 
 I am ftill dubious, it is fo expreifed. 
 
 Apiators may be affured that, to the beft 
 of my knowledge, every information or 
 hint that has been found of any r^/fervice, 
 in any Writer of Note, Foreign or Domef- 
 tic-' r , is comprifed in this volume. 
 
 As my prefent defign is wholly for prac- 
 titioners, the bulk and price is accommodated 
 to the purpofe of becoming generally ufe- 
 
 * Butler, Mew, Geddy, Purchafe, Wolridge, Ruf- 
 den, Warder, White, Thorley, Mills, Wildmans, De- 
 braw, and Broomwich. Foreigners •, Miraldy, Reau- 
 mur, Bonnet, Schirach, Needham, Norton, Seykers, 
 and others of lefs note. 
 
 A 4 ful ; 
 
viii PREFACE, 
 
 ful ; and confequently precludes the Natural 
 Hiftoryof Bees*, except in fome fmall de- 
 gree, as far as neceffary to their management. 
 
 A few years fince^ warm difputes arofe 
 between different naturalifts and apiarian 
 focieties on the continent, relating to the 
 generation of bees, and the formation of 
 artificial fwarms r in confequence of fome 
 new and wonderful principles advanced by 
 a Mr. Schirach (fecretary of an apiarian 
 fociety),, in his treatife entituled " Hijfoire 
 Naturellc de la Regne des Abeilks" &c. tranf- 
 lated into French by J. Blaffiere, Hague, 
 printed 177 if. 
 
 Counter-experiments were made by Need- 
 ham, Rheim, and others J, with refults of 
 an oppofite nature. 
 
 It being incompatible with the defign of 
 this work to enter into details, or a formal 
 
 * See a judicious book with that title, being a compi- 
 lation from the French, publifried by Knapton 1744. 
 
 f This book I had the honour of having prefented 
 me by the late Earl of Marchmont. 
 
 1 Bruffels Memoirs, vol. ii. 1780, prefented me by- 
 Thomas Dilks, Efq. to whom I render my thankful 
 acknowledgments - 
 
 ■■ ' refti- 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 Refutation of Schirach's do&rine, I mall only 
 briefly declare, that at firft I was fTrongly 
 prejudiced in its favour ^ and urged thereby 
 to purfue a feries of experiments according 
 to his directions, with the moft fcrupulous 
 exactnefs and care, for eight years, but 
 without a single result in confirmation 
 of his fcheme. I diverfified the experi- 
 ments, and alfo invented a more fuitable 
 apparatus to perform them, yet liill met with 
 the fame lamentable disappointment. In 
 this purfuit many bees and many ftocks 
 were unavoidably ruined, befides an accu- 
 mulation of vexation and trouble. But 
 my anxiety to acquire io defirable an end 
 urged me beyond the bounds of prudence. 
 1 hope vanity will not be imputed to the de- 
 claration and inference, that if one of long 
 experience in the handling of bees, and hav- 
 ing every conveniency, yet could not, in fo 
 many trials, fucceed, it is more than proba- 
 ble that others, with only common know- 
 ledge, and deftitute of a proper apparatus, 
 will not be more fuccefsful, and confequently 
 that Schirach's method cannot prove of pub- 
 lic utility. 
 
 - ; The 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 The mod likely means to ejlablifi the BEE! 
 ART, I believe, will not be accomplished 
 without the patronage of Agricultural 
 Societies ; namely, the encouraging a proper 
 perfon or perfons to exhibit in the bee feafon 
 the moft approved method through the chief 
 market towns of the kingdom. The perfon 
 muft be capable of explaining the pro- 
 celfes, and have with him the neceflary in- 
 flruments. 
 
 I would alfo recommend this employment 
 to any ingenious young man, properly qua- 
 lified, and provided with the apparatus, as a 
 practice that moft likely would turn to much 
 advantage ; taking care not to introduce 
 tricks and fancies, as fbthe have done, to the 
 definition of multitudes of bees, in Mead of ex- 
 hibiting any real improvements. 
 
 Or, lifucb perfons, refident in villages, 
 would qualify themfelves, they might, even 
 in their limited ftations, exercife the art to 
 their own benefit and that of the neieh- 
 bourhood, by performing it at a Bated 
 rate. 
 
 Rural Curates might confiderably aug- 
 ment their too frequently niggardly (Upends, 
 
 by 
 
PREFACE'. XI 
 
 by the cultivation of bees, and act at the 
 fame time confonantly with their clerical 
 profeflion, as it is an innocent amufement, 
 both healthy and profitable. 
 
 Farmers and others who keep numerous 
 ftocks of bees cannot be fuppofed to attend 
 fo minutely to every particular as thofe who 
 have not many, and have more leifure ; yet 
 in this, as well as in all the other articles of 
 hufbandry, the greater the care bellowed, 
 the greater the return that ufually follows. 
 Befides, moft of the operations on bees are 
 to be performed in the evening, or early in 
 the morning, and therefore will not interfere 
 with more important bufinefs. 
 
 To avoid repetitions, the manner of per- 
 forming the operations muft be feverally learnt 
 from the fecond party to the particulars of 
 which the Index will direct. 
 
 The firft part contains the principles ; 
 the fecond the manual, or operative part. 
 
 In general, I have ufed the word hive in- 
 difcriminately for hive or box, as applicable 
 to either ; except when it is otherwife ex- 
 prefTed, or is felf-evident. 
 
 The 
 
Xli PREFACE. 
 
 The writer fubmits thefe pages to the 
 candour of the learned, under a confciouf- 
 nefs of his own inabilities for the talk ; but 
 if it affords ufeful improvements in the art, 
 he hopes it may be pleaded in excufe of his 
 prefumption. 
 
 JOHN KEYS. 
 
 Bee-Hall, near Pembroke, 
 1796. 
 
 EXPLA- 
 
fzssssxsss 
 
 EXPLANATION OF TERMS. 
 
 ADAPTER, a Board to fet Glaffes on. 
 
 Apiary, the Place or Spot where Bees are kept. 
 
 Apiator, the Perfon who manages the Bees. 
 
 Bee-Herd^ the Perfon who watches the rifing of Swarms. 
 
 Cajls, fecond, third, &c. Swarms. 
 
 Deprivation, the Separation, or Taking of the Hives of 
 
 Honey. 
 
 Divider, the Brafs Plate ufed in feparating Hives. 
 
 Duplet, the Hive fet over or under another. 
 
 To Duplicate, the act of performing this. 
 
 Fume-Box, the Box kept for the Purpofe of Fuming. 
 
 Fumigation, "| . 
 
 ' . \ the Operation of itupefying. 
 
 Fuming, J 
 
 Hachel, or Coppet, &c. the Straw Covering fet over a 
 
 Hive to fhelter it. 
 Hive, or Skip, &c. That wherein the Bees dwell, and 
 
 make their Combs, whether made of Straw or other 
 
 Materials. 
 Nadir, the Hive which is fet under another. 
 Non-fivarmer, a Stock which has not fwarmed. 
 Stock, a Hive of Bees that has ftood, or is to Hand, the 
 
 Winter. 
 
 Sterifying, 
 
Siv EXPLANATION OF TERMS- 
 
 Storifying, the ranging Hives over or under each other. 
 
 To Storify, to perform this. 
 
 Super-hive, to fet one Hive above another. 
 
 Superior Hive, the uppermoft of a ftorined Set. 
 
 S W arm, a great Body of Bees, which quit the Hive toge- 
 ther,, and fix in fome Tree, Bufh, &c. 
 
 r* Treble or Triple, to add a third Hive to a Stock that 
 has two before. 
 
 Trebled, a Stock that has three Hives. 
 
 Triplet, ditto. 
 
 To Triplicate, the Adl of triplifying.. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PART 
 
 I. 
 
 
 
 PHAR 
 
 
 
 Page 
 
 I. UF the Queen, Drones, 
 
 and Workers 
 
 X 
 
 II. Difcoveries — - 
 
 -— 
 
 — 
 
 8 
 
 ■III. The Sting of Bees 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 12 
 
 IV. Bee Drefs — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 l 9 
 
 V. jdpiary • — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 22 
 
 VI. Purchafing of Bees 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 26" 
 
 VII. Straiv Hives — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 32 
 
 VIII. Bee Boxes — 
 
 — ' 
 
 — 
 
 4* 
 
 IX. Bee Houfe — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 5° 
 
 X. Storifying — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 s* 
 
 XI. Nature of Swarms 
 
 — 
 
 » — 
 
 73 
 
 XII. Hiving of ditto 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 93 
 
 XIII. Artificial Swarms 
 
 — 
 
 — » 
 
 114 
 
 XIV. To fecure Wild Bees 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 117 
 
 XV. Salvation of Bees^ 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 122 
 
 XVI. G/#x — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 126 
 
 XVII. Deprivation, or Taking- 
 
 ■up of Bees 
 
 — 
 
 133 
 
 XVIII. Pqfiurage — 
 
 — 
 
 — ' 
 
 143 
 
 XIX. if0«<?y Dews — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 155 
 
 XX. Difeafes of Bees 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 158 
 
 XXI. 0/ #«%• — 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 ids 
 
 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Thefts, 
 
xvi CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 £HAP. 2 
 
 XXII. Thefts, Wars, &c. — ' 
 
 xxn r. ^w««/ — -~ l 
 
 XXIV. ExtraBion,ofWax,^fc. l -5 
 
 XXV. . Obfervations on Honey — 
 
 XXVI. Making of Mead — —* J ?¥ 
 
 XXVII. Nummary of Monthly Management 
 
 204 
 
 PART II. 
 Ti7£ OPERATIONS. 
 
 General Rules — — 2n 
 
 I. Inftruments of Fumigation — - - — 213 
 
 II. The Materials for ditto — — 2 16 
 
 III. The Method of ditto — — 2 2o 
 
 IV. A Method for Cottagers ■ — — 221 
 "V. Another — - — — - 222 
 VI. The Ufe of Dividers ■ — — 224 
 "VII. ToStorify — — — 226 
 
 VIIL Deprivation, or Separation — 227 
 
 IX. Re -union of Swarms with. Stocks •— 232 
 
 X. To captivate the Bhietn — — - 235 
 
 XI. Out-liers to recruit weak Stocks • — 236 
 
 XII. To unite a queenlefs Stock to another 237 
 
 XIII. To unite weak Stocks or Swarms in Autumn 238 
 
 XIV. Driving — — . 240 
 
 XV. Show Box for Amateurs 242 
 
 XVI. Management of the Show Box . 2 a6 
 
 pof cript 
 
Tlate 11. 
 
Tlate 1 
 
THE 
 
 Antient Bee-Mafter's Farewell. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 ' OE THE QUEEN, DRONES, AND WORKERS. 
 
 vJN the Jingle female bee, ftyled queen, 
 depend the increafe, profperity, and per- 
 manency of a flock. No fwarm can pof- 
 fibly be eftahhfhed, unlefs accompanied by 
 a princefs ; although the bees become ever 
 fo numerous, or eager to iwarm. If by 
 any mifchance the queen is killed, the bees, 
 foon fenfible of her lofs, quit the hive 
 to affociate with their next neighbours, 
 transferring their treafure with them. 
 
 B The 
 
o- QUEEN. 
 
 The queen (pi. I. fig. 6.) being then 
 of fuch confequence, it is neceflary that the 
 apiator mould be able' to diftinguifh her at 
 fight. Obferve, therefore, that fhe is longer 
 and more Header than the drones, or the 
 workers ; her hinder parts tapering to a 
 point: her belly and legs are alfo yellower ; 
 and the upper part of her body much darker 
 than theirs, nearly approaching to a glofiy 
 black. The pavt beyond the wings is divided 
 into four joints, diftinguifhed into fo many 
 rings ; whereas the workers have but three,- 
 and thofe of a lighter colour. The more full 
 of eggs, the more yellow is her belly. Her 
 wings reach only to the third ring, but 
 thofe of the workers extend to the end of 
 their bodies. Her appearance is rather 
 clumfy, but her deportment grave, ftately, 
 and calm. She is armed with a fling fhorter 
 than thofe of her fubjecls. Its uie is only to 
 oppofe rival queens •„ for otherwife fhe will 
 bear the rougheft handling, without attempt- 
 ing to wound. She is very rarely to be 
 feen, even with boxes of three windows; 
 and, if by chance fhe is difcovered, inftantly 
 retires from view.' 
 
 Hep 
 
QtJEEN. 3 
 
 Her fecundity is amazing ; for in the 
 courfe of a year fhe ufually lays forty thou- 
 fand eggs, or more : me has been feen to 
 lay forty immediately one after another. 
 Her body at the height of the laying feafon 
 contains fome thoiifands of eggs. If empty 
 cells are not prepared, fhe is obliged to drop 
 them. She is five times longer in laying a 
 royal egg than a common one. 
 
 The eggs are little white bodies, fixed by 
 their fmaller end to the bottom of the cell. 
 The royal cells are constructed on the edges 
 or fides of the combs, (pi. II. fig. 4. k.) 
 fometimes to the number of ten or twelve. 
 Thefe cells, when about half fmifhed, re- 
 femble the cup of an inverted acorn, c, and 
 are lengthened in proportion to the growth 
 of the maggot or nymph. They hang in 
 a perpendicular manner with the open end 
 downwards, c. After the egg is depolited 
 it remains in that ftate three days ; and then 
 being hatched, appears as a maggot in the 
 fhape of a half moon, lying at the bottom 
 of the cell, furrounded with a clammy white 
 fubftance, continually fupplied by the 
 Workers for its nutriment. In five -or fix 
 B 2 days 
 
4_ DRONES. 
 
 days it grows confiderably larger, ceafcs to 
 take food, is then fealed up, b, with a waxen 
 cap, and continues thus about twelve days, 
 when the royal nymph burfts open the co- 
 ver, and iffues forth a complete princefs. 
 Cold weather makes two or three days dif- 
 ference in the time of exclufion. The 
 queen is impregnated about Auguft, by 
 virtue of which (he is enabled to breed in 
 the fpring, till me produces frem drones. 
 
 Similar to the procefs above, is that of 
 the drones and workers ; excepting that the 
 eggs are hatched in the common cells, which 
 ferve in a double capacity, either for honey 
 or brood. The cells for drones are gene- 
 rally the two middlemofl: combs of the hive; 
 the cells are deeper than thofe for the work- 
 ers ? and, when they happen not to be long 
 enough, are lengthened by a cap of wax. 
 They are generally hatched in twenty-one 
 days* 
 
 DRONES 
 
 Are thofe large bees (pi. II. fig. 5 .) 
 which ufually appear before the rifmg of 
 fwarms. They are the only males, and 
 
 are 
 
DRONES. 5 
 
 are larger than the workers ; 'o§ a clurnfy 
 fhape^ and their extremity large, as are their 
 eyes ; their trunk, or probofcis, mart and 
 thin, and the body more hairy. They 
 make a much louder and rougher noife than 
 the workers; and having no fting, nor 
 inftrument to collect honey, are mftained 
 by that of the hive. 
 
 It feems clear to me, that the drones are 
 of no other ufe but that of propagation. 
 I have, indeed, often found, that Itocks will 
 fwarm before any drones appeared ; yet, 
 perhaps, fome were bred long before, re- 
 ading in the warmed part of the hive : and 
 which facts proved true ; for drone nymphs 
 have been caft out in early fpring. Soon 
 after honey-gathering ceafes, they become 
 devoid of the fpermatie milky liquor, and 
 therefore are difcarded. The queen, con- 
 taining fome thoufand eggs at a time in her 
 body, demands a larger fii'pply of the prolific 
 juice than a few drones are equal to furnifh. ' 
 This accounts for the large number of 
 drones found in the hives, as being abfo- 
 lutely neceffary* As foon as the queen 
 finds no occafion for their fervice, they 
 B 3 feparate 
 
6 WORKERS. 
 
 feparate from the workers to the fides of the 
 outward combs. 
 
 They are little" noticed by the workers, 
 and if killed at the doors of the hives do 
 not refent it. Thofe that happen to remain 
 in the flocks till the cold weather arrives, 
 foon perifh by it. 
 
 As their agency in generation, or, indeed, 
 their utility at all, is Hill difputed, it is 
 worth notice, they are endowed with a 
 large quantity of a whitifh liquor in fummer, 
 which the workers are fond of licking when 
 a drone is fqueezed. The many thoufand 
 times I have obferved drones in the combs a 
 I never beheld one with its tail in a cell, 
 
 WORKERS. 
 
 The common bees, or workers, (pi. II, 
 fig. 7.) 'live about a year, but are very li- 
 able to premature death, by hard labour, 
 high winds, birds, arid by many other acci- 
 dents. They are of neither fex, but abfo- 
 lutely neuters. The young bees are diftin- 
 guifhable from the old, by being of a lighter 
 brown. They are not all of one fize, a few 
 feeing fhorter than the others, by being 
 
 hatched 
 
WORKERS. 7 
 
 hatched in fhorter cells ; but the dimenfions 
 of a cell cannot alter the fexual parts, only as 
 to Jtze, and not the male organs into female. 
 
 Their labour feems to be indif criminate : 
 they build the combs, nurfe and fuftain the 
 young, colled honey, and defend the hive 
 againft all invaders. For cleanlinefs they 
 are remarkable ; have a quick and exten- 
 five fmell, either for honey or honey-dew ; 
 but are not difgufted with many odours 
 ofFenfive to us, as paint, tar, urine, &c. 
 partaking fometimes of fuch fubftances as 
 are pernicious to them. Forefeeing im- 
 pending ftorms, they make a precipitate re- 
 treat in great multitudes. 
 
 When firji placed in a hive they work 
 night and day, taking repofe by turns, and 
 lleeping in clufters. They can readily dif- 
 tinguifh the bees of their own hive from all 
 others; and highly refent the killing, or 
 even diiturbing, any bees of the fame apiary, 
 with vengeance attacking the aggreflbr. 
 
 As probably the following novel and cu- 
 rious difcoveries may be pleafing to natu- 
 ralifts, their infertion will not offend prac- 
 titioners. 
 
 B 4 CHAP. 
 
8 DISCOVERIES. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 DISCOVERIES. 
 
 Unexpectedly i fiw a queen on a 
 
 comb, near the window of a double box/; 
 the next dav I was favoured with a like 
 view ; (he remained each day about an 
 hour ; the bees very refpectfully making a 
 free paflage for her as fhe approached. 
 About a dozen of them tenderly licked and 
 brufhed her all over, while others attended 
 to feed her. 
 
 During this interview I perceived feveral 
 eggs drop from her, which the workers too]c 
 no notice of. The box in which fhe then 
 appeared was a fupe r one; the under one 
 had only three bars, and four apertures. 
 The fuper-box feemed quite full of honey 
 and brood. The queen tarrying and npt 
 choofing to defcendj being obstructed by 
 the middle bar, probably was the occafion 
 of this reluctance ; as alfo that of the bees 
 from working in the empty nadir box. 
 
 From, 
 
DISCOVERIES. 9 
 
 From feveral fimilar difappointments I fur- 
 mifed, that the fcantinefs of the opening 
 for communication was the fole caufe. In- 
 ftead of three bars, from that time my boxes 
 were altered to fix, which fucceeded to my 
 utmoft wifli. 
 
 Another time I faw the workers very bufy 
 in demolifning a royal cell, clofe to the 
 window of a bo^ It had been fealed up 
 f ; • d jy ■: : hut continuing lo beyond the 
 Liiual period cf exclufion, I fufpcclcd forne 
 nvifc^ance, ;>nd. therefore 'was very intent to 
 •bftrve the refult. At five o'clock one 
 jmomittg, the workers were very deeply 
 engaged in opening the hdc of the cell : in 
 about two hours they had made a chafm 
 large enough to fee the nymph, and which 
 they were endeavouring to pull out, but in 
 vain. They then proceeded to a further 
 enlargement ; when the queen, with hafty 
 lieps, and anxious looks, as if angry at the 
 delay, began herfelf the arduous tails, the 
 workers remaining quiet fpe&ators. The 
 queen made feveral violent tugs to difengage 
 it, but her efforts proved fruitlefs. She then 
 
 retired, 
 
j.Q DISCOVERIES. 
 
 retired, not without an appearance of dif- 
 pleafure. 
 
 The workers then renewed their attempts, 
 about a dozen at a time, and at intervals 
 ccafed to enlarge, while they tried to pull 
 .the nymph out, but were frill difappointed ; 
 for on pulling the nymph upwards fhe was 
 preffed more into the convexity of the top» 
 Four hours were thus employed ; when the 
 queen returned, with like demeanour as 
 before, and proceeded with redoubled efforts 
 to extricate the nymph ; but frill, unfortu- 
 nately, with no better fuccefs, and finally 
 relinquifhed the toil with great concern. 
 However, the labourers refumed the talk of 
 enlargement from top to bottom, which was 
 not effe&ed till near twelve o'clock ; a bu- 
 fmefs of {even hours to draw the nymph 
 out. It was full grown, but — dead! The 
 feafon having been bad, the wax which 
 compofed the cell was coarfe, and much 
 thicker than ufual, fo as to render it impof- 
 fible that the young lady mould extricate 
 herfelf in due time. 
 
 Pur'mg the time of the above obfervation, 
 
 I beheld, 
 
DISCOVERIES. 1% 
 
 I beheld, in fome other boxes, royal nymphs 
 burrling open the lower end of their cells, 
 and inftantly iffuing without affiftance. 
 
 After many efTays by various means, I 
 never could procure a complete view of an 
 intercourfe between a. queen and a drone ; but 
 have feveral times been witnefs to thofe 
 amorous preludes recorded by Reaumur. 
 By confining a queen and a drone under a 
 glafs tumbler, after fome little time the queen 
 began to carefs the drone, frequently repeat- 
 ing fuch wanton geftures as would flimulate 
 a torpedo, or any other male but a drone I 
 
 Reaumur $ relation of this myfterious 
 affair ftates the refult of the royal embrace 
 to be the death of the drone. The drones 
 knowing, perhaps, this to be the confe- 
 quence when Jpigly employed, may be the 
 c'aufe of their extreme reluctance. This, 
 together with the violence ufed during their 
 Captivity, and the coldnefs of their fituation 
 compared to the warmth of the hive, feems 
 to account for the non-performance of that 
 which naturalifts are fo defirous of difco- 
 vering. 
 
 I have feveral times placed two queens, 
 
 taker* 
 
12 STINGING. 
 
 taken from feparate hives, under a tumbler- 
 glafs, and immediately a royal duel enfued, 
 terminating in the death of both. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 OF THE BEE'S STING. . 
 
 HP 
 A HE flinging of bees is often not only 
 
 painful, but has fometimes proved fatal to 
 man and bead. Having frequently fuffered 
 under the /mart, it has taught me an ex- 
 perimental treatment of the wound. 
 
 Bees at a diftance from their hives, and 
 while purfuing their labours, are harmlefs 
 and peaceable ; but if difturbed near their ha- 
 bitation, by hammering, buftling, or any 
 other great noife, or by ftanding before their 
 hives when very bury, thefe intrufions will 
 urge them to refentment. 
 
 On thefe occafions the face is their chief 
 aim, particularly the eyes. In fuch cafes, 
 cover the face with the hands fpread, an^ 
 make a fpeedy retreat : they will not at that 
 time {ling the hands. 
 
 4 Puring 
 
STINGING. IJ 
 
 During their a olive feafon, gardeners 
 fhould do their requifite bufinefs near them 
 early in the morning, or in the evening 
 when the bees are retired to reft. 
 
 High winds very much difconcert and 
 hinder their labours, and make them very 
 irritable, and prone to a flank any perfon that 
 comes near their dwelling; and more fo, 
 if it is at the time of their being anxious to 
 fwarm, and if they are by fome means de- 
 layed therefrom. 
 
 To fome perfons they have a natural 
 averfion, however unoffending, or however 
 they may change their drefs, or though at 
 twenty or thirty yards diftance. 
 
 A fingle bee will fometimes fly into a, 
 room, and fettle upon the hands, face, or 
 neck ; but they have no hoftile intent, and 
 will prefently fly off again without wound- 
 ing ; provided no part of the apparel preifes 
 upon them. They may gently be ftruck 
 off, and they will fly out of the window. 
 
 The venom of their flings is much 
 ftronger in fummer than in winter. When 
 a bee gets entangled in the hair, the alarm 
 is great, but danger none, if the patient is 
 
 entirely 
 
i^ STINGING. 
 
 entirely paffive, till another perfon fearcnes 
 for it, and, when found, crufhes it between 
 his ringer and thumb. 
 
 When bees have been a little difturbed $ . 
 numbers will fly about a perfon near them, 
 and with angry found (well known to api« 
 ators) warn them to depart, or they will 
 fting. Retreat in hafte, covering the face 
 with the hands, till the head can be protected 
 among bumes, or in fome dark apartment ; 
 and there remain, till the violence of their 
 fury is abated. It is very wrong, when a 
 perfon is befet with bees, to ftrike, or buffet 
 them 5 for this is of no ufe, but will make 
 them ten times more furious, and provoke 
 multitudes to affift in the fray. Patience,- 
 and a fpeedy retreat, and fprinkling water 
 over them that remain, are the beft, expedi- 
 ents to get rid of them, which in about half 
 an hour will be effected : but if any remain 
 on the clothes, they may be brufhed off; ex-< 
 cept thofe on the face and hands* for that 
 will make them immediately fling* Let them 
 alone, they will quit of themfelves, when 
 the reft are departed. If many continue to 
 fly about, let water be thrown among them, 
 
 or 
 
STIlSfGING. i § 
 
 of blow them forth with a bellows, which 
 they will fuffer without refentment. The 
 fmoke of damp ftraw, or rags, will drive 
 them away foon. 
 
 But the higheft degree of their rage is 
 provoked by the moving ^flaking, or tumbling 
 down of their hive s ; for then the whole 
 army will rife in a mafs, and fall upon the 
 aggrefibr, be it man or beaft, hog or dog, 
 to the imminent danger of the creature's 
 life, Immerfion in water is the quickefi 
 method to get rid of them, if any ponds, 
 &c* are near. But if that cannot be con- 
 veniently done ; taking refuge in a dark 
 room, or out-houfe, and ufing the other 
 means above directed, will be the moll likely 
 to fucceed, till medical help can be pro- 
 cured. 
 
 REMEDIES. 
 
 Numberless have been the remedies pro- 
 pofed, and tried, without being generally 
 beneficial. Thofe which have proved fa- 
 lutary to fome, were the reverfe to others ; 
 eonftitutions and the fluids being infinitely 
 various, 
 
 Some 
 
l6 STINGING. 
 
 Some are affeded only in a fmall degree' 
 by. a Tingle ftlng ; while others (though few) 
 hardly at all, though by many. Again, many 
 that are delicate and tender fuffer feverely, 
 though ftung but (lightly : thofe alio who 
 are of an irritable conftitution like that of the 
 bees, fuffer to a high degree. 
 
 In a curative point of view, it is of the 
 firft importance that a remedy be at hand, 
 fo that it may be applied immediately \ before 
 the fubtilty of the venom gets into the cir- 
 culation. After that happens, the medicine 
 can but have a partial or weak effect. I 
 have generally experienced my own faliva 
 (fpittle) to be more beneficial than more 
 pompous chemicals or galenicals (I fup- 
 pofe, chiefly, from its being always ready) ; 
 rubbing it on the wound, tranfverfely from 
 the direction of the veins, and not up and 
 down ; for that forces the venom more into 
 the circulation. 
 
 A fecond remedy from which great bene- 
 fit has been found, is, Extract of faturn, half 
 an ounce ; volatile alkaline fpirit, half an 
 ounce ; two drachms linfeed oil ; {hake the 
 extract and the fpirit well together, and then 
 
 the 
 
STINGING. lj 
 
 the oil : it muft be rubbed on the wound 
 well, and conftantly, as long as any pain is 
 felt. It is dangerous if taken internally. 
 
 The third is dulcified fpirit of fal ammo- 
 niac ; adding one third of water, both being 
 well fhaken together. This has been found 
 more generally efficacious than the preced- 
 ing. It will not always prevent fome degree 
 of fwelling, butfoon affuages pain. It is of 
 a harmlefs quality* and I have often ufed it 
 about the eyes, without prejudice. To fome* 
 dulcified fpirit of nitre has proved of prefent 
 relief. Any of the articles may be had of 
 the chemifts, or apothecaries, at a cheap 
 rate. 
 
 On great emergencies^ if, unfortunately, 
 none of thefe medicines are at hand, com- 
 mon linfeed oil fhould be rubbed on the 
 part ftung : or in want of that, neat's foot 
 oil* frefh butter, or hog's lard mould be ap- 
 plied without delay, or the cure will be re- 
 tarded) with an increafe of danger, if the 
 flings have been numerous. 
 
 In the mean time, tea made of balm, elder 
 
 flowers, or lime tree flowers, or water gruel 
 
 with a little falt-petre diffolved therein, 
 
 G fhould 
 
jg STINGING* 
 
 fhould be prepared ; of which the patient 
 fhould drink plentifully, and often ; refrain- 
 ing from all folid food, particularly that 
 which is falted, or dried ; as alfo from acrid, 
 acid, or fpicy articles. If a fever mould in- 
 tervene, James's powders give admirable 
 relief. But if there is imminent danger* 
 medical affiftance mould be called in. Where 
 the fymptoms are favourable, the tumours 
 will gradually fubfide in a few days,, with- 
 out further applications. 
 
 The like cooling treatment is- alfo to be 
 ufed for horfes, cattle, &c, by enlarging the 
 quantities, by malhes, and by keeping them 
 moderately warm in the ftabk. 
 
 .from the foregoing obfervations, perfons 
 niayjuftly conclude* that thofe to whom 
 the flings of bees are very afflictive, fhould 
 not, in common prudence, attempt the office 
 of an apiator, nor approach bees, deftitute 
 of a proper drefs. 
 
 Nor is it advifable to employ fervants 
 about bees, that have a diflike to the bufi- 
 nefs ; for, otherwife, it is a great chance but 
 they" neglect, or injudicioully and perhaps 
 fpitefully treat them. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
BEE DRESS. 19 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 THE BEE DRESS 
 
 JLS to be made of thin bonking cloth, which 
 may be bought at about fixpence a-yard. It 
 is to be fewed to the brim of an old hat, 
 when reduced to two inches and a half in 
 width ; the cloth is to hang down a foot in 
 breadth all round the head. A broad tape 
 is to be prepared, long enough to tie the 
 cloth, clofe round the neck, under the chin. 
 But as the nofc, chin, and neck, would be 
 liable to htjiung through the mefhes, there- 
 fore, to fecure thofe parts, fome oiled linen 
 mud: be ftitched oppofite the face and neck, 
 within fide, leaving two inches and a half 
 free, oppofite the eyes. 
 
 Or, a kind of hood of the like cloth may 
 be made of fuch a breadth, that from the 
 bottom of the crown of any hat in ufe, it 
 may hang a foot below the rim. It is to be 
 gathered up to a ferret binding, to let the 
 crown through, and encircle it clofe round. 
 C 2 The 
 
20 BEE DRESS, 
 
 The portion which hangs down, is to tie 
 round the neck, as before mentioned. Some- 
 thing for the niouth to grafp will be proper 
 in both cafes, to keep the mem at a requi- 
 fite diftance. This laft hood is calculated 
 to carry in the pocket. 
 
 The oiled linen is prepared by foaking 
 linen in linfeed oil, and then fqueezing the 
 fuperfluous oil out, and drying it in the air : 
 this procefs will take two or three weeks. 
 The procefs is then to be a fecond time re- 
 peated. Gloves made of it, though thin, will 
 be impenetrable to the ftingofthebees: indeed 
 they will not attempt it. Garments made of it 
 will effe&ually refill wet. The oil may be 
 previoufly coloured by the ufual pigments, 
 for green, blue, yellow, &c. 
 
 Befides the hood, a thick pair of tanned 
 leather gloves will be neceffary, or other 
 leather oiled only once : a portion of old 
 ftockings is to be fewed to the extremities 
 to draw tight over the cuffs of the coat. 
 The legs muft be defended by a thick pair 
 of yarn ftockings, drawn over thofe in com- 
 mon wear. The greateft care muft be ufed 
 in putting on the hood, that no hollows 
 
 3 or 
 
BEE DRESS. 2t 
 
 or chafms be left under the chin, or about 
 the neck ; and for better fecurity, it will be 
 proper to tie a handkerchief over the gather- 
 ing round the neck, befide that of the tape. 
 An apron before will be ufeful to prevent 
 thefe prying infects from tickling the belly. 
 Thus apparelled, defiance may be given to 
 millions of bees, or wafps, and all the opera- 
 tions may be executed without dread or dan- 
 ger. Or if, by accident, hives are thrown 
 
 down by cattle, hogs, &c. and the bees en- 
 raged ; having this drefs on, the creatures 
 may be affifted and the hives replaced. 
 
 Women mould not meddle with bees, 
 without this bee-drefs ; nor then, without 
 the addition of a man's coat, and I had al- 
 iinofl: faid breeches alfo. 
 
 G 3 CHAP. 
 
22 APIARY. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 ON THE APIARY. 
 
 JL HE propereft fituation for an apiary 
 is one expofed to the wind as little as 
 poffible ; it being detrimental, and proving 
 often fatal to numbers of bees, by blowing 
 them down, or into the water, or overturn- 
 ing the hives. Trees, high hedges, or 
 fences, on the back and weftern fide of the 
 hives, will be neceffary, to fcreen them from 
 the violence of its force. But they fhould 
 have a free opening in their front to the 
 fouth, or rather fouth-eaft afpecl. A valley 
 is preferable to high grounds to favour their 
 increafe. 
 
 The hives fhould be well fecured againft 
 hogs, or other creatures, which might dis- 
 place the flocks, or otherwife difturb the 
 bees, and injure themfelves. Let the hives 
 be fet as near the dwelling-houfe as conveni- 
 ently can be, or to rooms the mod occupied, 
 for the readier difcovery of rifing fwarms, 
 
 or 
 
APIARY. 23 
 
 or to be apprized of accidents. Befides, the 
 bees habituated to the fight of the family, 
 will become lefs ferocious, and more trac- 
 table ; while the buildings will afford a pro- 
 tection from the wind and cold. The hives 
 mu ft be clear of the dripping of trees, nor 
 fhould long grafs, weeds, or dunghills be 
 fufFered near them, as harbouring myriads of 
 infects and vermin, that will prey upon the 
 bees and their production. Neither are 
 rivers, ponds, or large tubs of water eligible 
 to be near an apiary ^ as great numbers will 
 be blown therein. 
 
 It is very wrong to place hives on benches, 
 which is always the fource of miftakes, quar- 
 rels, and often flaughter, by their interference 
 with one another. A flill worfe contrivance 
 is that of little cots, or fheds, with fhelves 
 therein, one above another; affording a 
 greater harbour for their enemies, very in- 
 convenient for the management, and indeed 
 . impracticable in the ftory method. 
 
 The arrangement I would recommend, is, 
 
 that of feparate Jiands for each hive, made 
 
 by driving four ftrong flakes into the ground, 
 
 at equal diftances, as thus, : : correfponding 
 
 C 4 to 
 
14 APIARY. 
 
 to the dimenfions of the \\ive floods, to reft 
 thereon : they are to be fixteen inches above 
 the earth, and the tops to be upon a levels 
 with each other. 
 
 The Hands mould be three or four %t 
 diftant from one another, and from any- 
 wall or fence, in uniform rows, for the api- 
 ator's conveniency of managing each flock ; 
 nor mould the hives be fet higher than fix- 
 teen inches, in the flory method j for then 
 their height would be attended with many 
 difficulties, Where perfons have many 
 flocks, it is better to divide them into feveral 
 gardens, as being too numerous in one, fre- 
 quently occafions quarrels : eight or ten in 
 one place are enough. 
 
 Water is necefTary near an apiary in a 
 long feafon oj 'dry weather. Put the water in 
 a broad difh, covered with fmall flones, or 
 duck-weed, to affift the bees in drinking, 
 without wetting their wings, or being 
 drowned. 
 
 In very windy fituations, efpecially near 
 the fea, or great rivers, numerous bees are 
 jdeftroyed, by being blown therein, and 
 others very much injured and hindered, by 
 
 being 
 
APIARY. 25 
 
 being drove with violence to the ground, or 
 other hard fubftances, with the lofs of their 
 farina, fo laborioufly obtained. 
 
 Some have thought that an apiary near 
 the fea coqjl would be abundantly productive, 
 by reafon of the bees being fond of fea- 
 water. This point I have made obfervatiori 
 on, my refidence being only four miles from 
 the more, but could not perceive that the 
 bees mowed any fuch partiality, unlefs ne- 
 ceffitated by a long feafon of very hot and 
 dry weather. Nor did they much affecT: 
 the wild thyme that grew on the fand-hills 
 adjoining; nor are they fond of fait. 
 
 CHAf. 
 
C6 PURCHASING. 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 ON PURCHASING OF BEES. 
 
 HE beft time for eftablifhing an apiary, 
 is juft before the taking up feafon : which 
 is generally about the latter end of Auguft, 
 for then bee-keepers referve as many of the 
 beft ftocks as they judge expedient for their 
 next fummer's fupply ; and, therefore, after 
 that period are not difpofed to part with 
 any, unlefs at an advanced price : whereas, 
 by purchafmg fome time before, a choice 
 may be made of the beft y and at the accuf- 
 tomed rate. 
 
 They mould be fele&ed by a rjkilful per- 
 fon, in a cool evening, or rather morning 
 very early. By tapping about the hive, a 
 pretty near guefs may be formed, whether 
 or not it is full of bees, as alfo if full of 
 combs. But for greater certainty, turn 
 thofe that fern heavy upon the edge of the 
 hive, and obferve if the interjilces between 
 
 the 
 
PURCHASING. 27 
 
 the combs are crowded with bees, and the 
 combs worked down to the floor. If white, 
 or of a light yellow, it denotes their being of 
 the prefent year's ^produce, and fit for the 
 purpofe ; but if they are of a very deep yel* 
 low, or brown, they are of the laft feafon, 
 and not fo proper ; while thofe that are 
 dingy, or b/acki/b, are old, and wholly unfit 
 to furnifh a profperous apiary. To avoid 
 deception, obferve, that though a hive may 
 have the edges of the combs of a light yel- 
 low, they may be old flocks neverthelefs, 
 whofe combs the preceding year not having 
 been completed, have in the prefent had 
 new borders added to them of virgin wax, fo 
 as to look like young flocks. Look carefully 
 between the combs, as far as the bees will 
 admit ; and if the interior parts appear fa- 
 vourable, form a judgment accordingly. 
 The hive fhould be poifed in the hand ; and 
 if it be about half-bufhel fize, and weigh 
 twenty-five pounds or upwards, it is another 
 teft of its being a good ftock. But the weight 
 alone, of old ftocks, cannot be relied on, 
 as great part of the combs may be crammed 
 
 with 
 
28 PURCHASING. 
 
 with old farina, and other impurities, as 
 mentioned hereafter. 
 
 One good ftock bought at the proper 
 time, is worth two /warms bought in the 
 1 fpring ; for fuch a ftock will fwarm once or 
 twice, or yield two or three hives full of 
 honey ; whereas, from a fwarm, little or no 
 profit can be expected the jirjl year. 
 
 But mould the proper feafon have been 
 neglected, a. prime or jirjl fwarm fhould be 
 fought, at leaft large enough, in common 
 fituations, to fill a peck, and if a good one, 
 half a bufhel. Small fwarms will turn to 
 little account, and balk the expectation. 
 
 The fwarm is to be brought home in the 
 evening of the day it rifes. If a large one 
 cannot be had among the neighbours, two 
 or three may be united, to form a powers 
 ful ftock. 
 
 If a fwarm is delayed being brought 
 home for two or three days, portions of 
 combs will have been conftruaed, which 
 may probably be difplaced in the removal, 
 with the bees thereon, and may be da- 
 maged, or crufhed, and fp be the ruin of 
 
 the 
 
PURCHASING. 29 
 
 fwarm : to avoid which, let it be removed 
 at day-break. 
 
 To transfer the fwarm from the eommoa 
 hive, into one of your own, or into a box, 
 invert that which has the fwarm in a pail, 
 bucket, or the like ; lay two thin flat flicks 
 acrofs, and then fet the empty hive over it ; 
 Hop the juncture with a cloth, and before 
 morning the bees will have afcended into 
 the upper one. But if not, let them fland a 
 day longer 5 when, if they flill are reluctant, 
 flop the juncture quite, and beat round the 
 lower hive with two fmall flicks, till they 
 afcend, which may be knowm b.y the great 
 buz in the upper hive. 
 
 Or, as foon as two fwarms are brought 
 home, fpread a cloth on the ground, and 
 lay a flick acrofs : then flrike the edge of the 
 hive with violence on the ground ; the bees 
 will fall out in a lump : then take the other 
 fwarm, and ferve them in the fame manner, 
 clofe by the firfl ; fet an empty hive over 
 them, refling one edge on the flick, and 
 cover them with a cloth. If they are found 
 to quarrel when afcended, they muft be 
 fumed as directed hereafter. 
 
 Removing 
 
30 PURCHASING. 
 
 Removing of Stocks mould be in the 
 evening, or very early in the morning. The 
 hive fhould be raifed by three or four wedges, 
 fome hours before, provided the floor is not 
 moveable ; or otherwlfe many bees will re- 
 main on the floor at the time, and be very 
 troublefome. 
 
 A cloth muft be laid on the ground be- 
 hind the hive to be removed ; nimbly lift 
 the hive thereon, and, gathering the four 
 corners tight, tie them faft on the top : im- 
 mediately draw a firing clofe round the 
 body of the hive, to prevent any bees crawl- 
 ing between. 
 
 If they are to be carried a confiderable 
 diftance, they may be refted on the ground, 
 as occafion may require. Hand barrows, or 
 yokes, with a hive fufpended at each end, 
 or a long pole on men's fhoulders, and a 
 hive or two between, may be advantageoufly 
 ufed for their conveyance. 
 
 But when it is for feveral miles, a coach, 
 or cart with plenty of ftraw at the bottom, 
 to break the mocks of the carriage, and 
 then proceeding with the floweft pace, and 
 taking the cool of the morning, will prove 
 
 i a fafe 
 
PURCHASING. 3! 
 
 a fafe and convenient removal. If any of the 
 combs mould, however, be broken, and 
 fallen on the cloth, when the hive is taken 
 off, let them remain thereon, and fet the 
 hive in the place or ftand defigned for it ; 
 and gently fpreading the cloth with the bees 
 on it on the top, by the morning they will 
 have quitted, and entered by the door of the 
 hive. 
 
 A flock mould not be fet clofe to the bee- 
 houfe front, the firft night of its being 
 brought home, that the ftraggling bees may 
 find their way into the Hive by the door, 
 and then no bees will be crufhed. Straw- 
 hives, being of a circular form, leave a con- 
 fiderable vacancy between the hive doors 
 and front, which next night muft be flopped, 
 by thrufting part of a hay band, or clay, or 
 ftiff cow- dung, to fill the chafms, but leav- 
 ing the door-way free. 
 
 Pur chafed /warms in fpring, on bringing 
 home, are to be immediately fet on empty 
 hives ; and thus, by being doubled 2XfrJi 9 
 will fave that trouble afterwards. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
32 STRAW HIVES.* 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 ON THE FORMATION OF STRAW HIVES. 
 
 OTRAW is the beft material for hives, aS 
 beft prote&ing the bees in the extremes of 
 cold and heat, and alfo generally eafieft 
 to be procured. Where it is not fo, rufhes, 
 wicker-work plaftered over, or fedges, muft 
 be fubftituted. 
 
 Of ftraw, unthrajhea ?hye is preferable, as 
 thrafhing ihivers the ftraw, and makes it 
 rough and fhaggy, whiqh the bees with 
 much labour are obliged to gnaw off. My 
 hive-maker laid the ftraw in a chaff box, 
 and fo readily cut off the ears. 
 
 The plan I propofe is, three hives 
 to each flock. The fize I have found mod 
 convenient is that of half a bufhel : larger 
 are very inconvenient to manage ; while thefe, 
 by Jlorifying) give ample room for all that 
 the bees can want, at the fame time admit- 
 ting triplets to be taken off the fooner. 
 
 They are to be nine inches high, and 
 
 twelve 
 
STRAW HIVES. 33 
 
 I 
 twelve wide, in the clear, on the infide, i. e. 
 
 exclufive of the top, (pi. 2, fig. 3.) The 
 body is to have no ftraw top fixed, or worked 
 to it, as in common, but is to be a feparate 
 piece. The body of the hive, therefore, re- 
 fembles a broad hoop; and, like that, muft be 
 perpendicular, or ftraight down ; and not 
 one part /welling, or being wider than ano- 
 ther. 
 
 The ftraw cover is to be made quite flat \ 
 like a round mat, but wide enough to extend 
 an inch beyond the edge of the hive. There 
 needs only one cover to three hives. The 
 greateft proof of the maker's fkill will con- 
 fift in his exactly following the prefcribed 
 dimenfions, and in the evennefs of his work; 
 particularly in both edges, that they may 
 admit one hive being fet on another, with- 
 out any chafms, and that promifcuoujly, or 
 hab nab. 
 
 In one of the edges a diftance of full three 
 inches is to be left free of binding, for a 
 door-way. But a more proper one may be 
 formed by a fmall piece of wood, four or 
 five inches long, in which a door-way is to 
 be cut, of three inches long, and three- eighths 
 D of 
 
Jj, STRAW HIVES. 
 
 of an inch in height, and worked into the 
 round of ft raw. 
 
 ■ Or, what will be Hill better, is to take a 
 rod of willow, or -hazel, while green, and 
 bend it to a circle of a proper fize for the 
 hive. When it is wanted, reduce itfo as to 
 have two flat and even fides y cut a proper 
 door- way out, and born holes at due diftances 
 to receive the brier bin-ding, by which the 
 firfl round of flraw is to be fattened to it. 
 If the binding is carried wholly round the 
 hoop, the binding will be foon rotted by 
 the wet, and prove of little more ferviee 
 than if there had been none ; but otherwife 
 it will pteferve the hive much longer, and 
 be more convenient in many refpedts. 
 
 As foon as hives are made, they fhould be 
 ■fet. feparate on level boards, or the like,, and 
 another on the top, and heavy ftones laid 
 on them ; but fir ft a perfon fhould jump 
 upon the boards to reduce the edges to a 
 proper evenneis. This practice muft not be 
 neglected,. 
 
 Befides the flat ftraw cover, all the hives 
 mtift have wooden tops, (ph i, fig. 6.) 
 to make which, procure a board of the width 
 
 2 q£ 
 
STRAW HIVES. 35 
 
 of the hive, and half an inch thick, free 
 from knobs. Seven fpaces or openings are 
 to be cut, b, b, b, b, b, b, b ; each exactly half 
 an inch wide; the length of the three inner- 
 mod, eleven inches ; the two next, nine ; and 
 the two outermoft, fix inches. The carpen- 
 ter muft be attentive not to deviate from 
 thefe directions in the fmalleft degree, as a 
 trifling neglect will render the whole ufelefs. 
 
 In cafe boards of a proper width are not 
 to be had, one ten inches wide may be fub- 
 ftituted, braiding circular pieces on the fides 
 after the top is cut out, to fill up the defi- 
 ciency. Round the edges a hoop of tin, or 
 flight ozier, muft be tacked to ftrengthen it, 
 and prevent its fplitting. A long braid or 
 peg mould pafs through the fore and hind 
 parts, and enter the edge of the hive, to keep 
 the top from being difplaced ; taking care 
 that the heads of the braids are driven rather 
 below the furface of the wood. 
 
 A cheaper top may be made of narrow 
 flips of wood, which I name bars, fix in 
 number (pi. 1, fig. 3. a, a, a, a, a, a); de- 
 figned to be laid acrofs the top of the hive, at 
 half an inch diftance from each other; the 
 J) 2 two 
 
$6 STRAW HIVES. 
 
 two outermoft bars to be one inch and a 
 quarter wide, and the others one inch and a 
 half. Two flips of wood, b, b, an inch wide, 
 are to be braided acrofs the bars within fide 
 (or rather let in, to be Hufh on both fides) 
 near the ends, to fatten them together, and to 
 keep them at their due diftance. The crofs 
 pieces will thus he below the edge of the hive, 
 while the ends- reft, on it. But firtce the breadth 
 of this frame of bars will not be quite that of 
 the hive, the deficiency muft be fupplied by 
 two fmall circular pieces braided on the edge 
 of the hive, leaving two half-inch openings 
 between them and the bars. As the ends 
 of the bars, when laid on the hive, will 
 leave vacancies between, thefe muft be flop- 
 ped by eow-dung of a due temper, which, 
 when dry, will be fufficiently tenacious. 
 Take care that the whole top be evert 
 and fmootb. It fhould be laid on always 
 in the direction of front and back. 
 
 The ftraw covers are to befaftened on by 
 loops of cord, or rather leathern thongs, paf- 
 fed within, at about two inches below the 
 top of the hive. They are to be four in 
 number, placed at equal diftances-, and; a cord 
 
 to 
 
STRAW HIVES. %J 
 
 to each pair, to draw them tight over the 
 top. 
 
 The hive floors mould be one inch 
 thick, of yellow deal planed on one fide 
 only, truly level, and of fixteen inches dia- 
 meter. Where boards of that width are not 
 eafily to be procured, an additional piece 
 muft be rabbeted audi doweled to it. Two 
 crofs pieces are to be nailed underneath, to 
 ftrengthen and prevent its warping; or ra- 
 ther they mould be nailed upon the ends. 
 Three of the corners may be cut off, leaving 
 the fourth for a place to alight on. One 
 floor only is requifite to every three hives ; 
 but two or three /pare ones will be conve- 
 nient on many occafions. 
 
 Cottagers maycontrive^ifrom thofe 
 cuttings of trees which are ftraight, of an 
 equal thicknefs, and of a length as above 
 defcribed, Thefe, while green, may be ea- 
 fily cut flat, with a knife, of the proper mea- 
 fure, by fivft laying them over the top of 
 the hive, at the diftance of half an inch from 
 each other j they may then be marked, and 
 cut to their juft length. Two pieces are to 
 be braided under their ends, fo as not to pre- 
 P 3 vent 
 
38 STRAW HIVES. 
 
 vent the crofs pieces from finking into the 
 In fide; and to hold the bars fteady, without 
 Hiding backward or forward, The vacan- 
 cies between the bars on the edge of the hive 
 are to be filled up with cow-dung, which, 
 when dry, will be fufficiently tenacious. 
 Care fhould be taken to make every part of 
 the top fmooth and level ; which if not fo, 
 reduce it by laying heavy weights thereon. 
 
 Hive- makers in fome places have affected 
 coniiderable difficulty in making hives of 
 the form I have prefcribed, but without juft 
 grounds : the perfon employed by me, after 
 a little practice, could make them as expe- 
 ditioufly and eafy as thofe of the common 
 fort. 
 
 His method was to make a common hive, 
 the circumference of whofe bottom was ex-? 
 actly to the dimenfions I defired ; on the 
 edge of this he worked a round and a half 
 of ft raw, bound on with a cord, and then 
 continued to proceed with brier binding, 
 having by him a ftraight flick, of the due 
 width, as a gauge, and to keep the work 
 truly perpendicular, or upright. If the hoop 
 I before mentioned is provided for the bot- 
 tom 
 
STRAW HIVES. 39 
 
 torn edges of hives, the work might be begun 
 and carried on from that. 
 
 When he had got about half the intended 
 width, he finifhed the round even. Then 
 ioofing the cord from the part he began at, 
 that part was taken off and inverted, and the 
 round left loofe by the cord was re-bound 
 by brier: and thus he proceeded till he com- 
 pleted it. It is to be noticed, that the part 
 firft begun at was in the middle when 
 finimed. 
 
 Apiators who underftand what I have 
 written on this head, mould offer a 
 good price to thofe who are reluctant in 
 making thefe hives, and mould fland by 
 while the workman endeavours to make one; 
 and by giving occafional directions it may 
 be eaGly effected, and they may be intro- 
 duced over the kingdom. 
 
 It will be a good method to plafter one 
 fide of the ftraw top with cow-dung, even 
 and level, which will prove more eligible in 
 introducing the Aiders. 
 
 Hackels orCopPETs are made of wheat- 
 en ftraw. The method is this: Take a fheaf, 
 bind it with a cord ten or twelve inches 
 D 4 below 
 
4<> STRAW HIVES. 
 
 below the ears : with the left hand gripe a 
 fmall parcel or locket (about 60 ftraws) of 
 the part above the cord, and with the other 
 hand a like locket; and giving it a twill: round 
 the iirft locket, bring it down clofe to the 
 cord, pulling the other locket ftraight down. 
 Take a third locket and twift over the prece- 
 ding j and thus continue to twift and turn 
 down until the whole is tinifhed, except 
 three locks, one of which is to be brought 
 between the other two, which are to be tied 
 in a knot over it. Then reducing the whole 
 as flat as can be, run a fhort forked flick 
 through the knot, to prevent its ftarting. 
 The hackel may be made in about twenty 
 minutes. 
 
 This form is the befl fuited to the purpofe 
 of any that I have feen ; they fit clofe to the 
 top of the hives, keeping them warmer and 
 drier, which is of great advantage in winter 
 and fpring. Neither are they fo liable to be 
 blown off. The part before the doors fhould 
 be clipped fo as to admit the fun's rays. For 
 fear of ftorms, a hoop may be thrown over 
 them, and fattened by two ftrong flicks with 
 crooks at their ends, and thruft into the 
 
 ground 
 
ST R AW HIVES. 41 
 
 ground on each fide. This will be a good 
 fecurity at all times. 
 
 Placing the hives at tfie diftance before 
 itated, will preferve the bees from quarrel- 
 ling, or emigrating from one hive to ano- 
 ther. 
 
 Opulent perfons, to whom the appearance 
 of ftraw hives may feem inelegant, might 
 have them concealed from view by fuch 
 fhrubs as are of fervice to the bees, planted 
 at fuch a diftance as not to intercept the fun- 
 fhine to the front of the hives. 
 
 Or, handfome covers, fomething in the 
 fhape of hackels, terminating in a point at 
 top, and painted, would have a pleafing 
 appearance. 
 
 Or, a screen in perfpe&ive, of rocks or 
 ruins, &c. with proper openings for the 
 }>ees to iffue from behind, on floors properly 
 difpofed, on which they mould be placed as 
 in ( a bee-houfe. 
 
 N. B. By fir aw covers are not meant 
 tops, which are of wood, with bars. Nor 
 are hackels me:arit by the term tops. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
,42 BEE BOXES. 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 ON BEE BOXES. 
 
 EE boxes are beft made of feafoned 
 yellow deal, free from knots, and one inch 
 thick. The boxes are to be ten inches high, 
 and twelve fquare ; clear in the infule (pi. 
 1, fig. 2.) One of the fides is to have a 
 pane of glafs, d, of the whole width, and fix 
 inches in height, with a mutter half an inch 
 thick, to be let into a bevel at top, and reft 
 on a ledge at bottom, and to fallen with a 
 button, a ; this is to be efteemed the back. 
 There mull be a door-way in the bottom edge 
 of the front, four inches long, and five- 
 eighths in height, exclufive of the threjhold^ 
 which is to be one-eighth of an inch thick, 
 to be let into the edge of the box, and on a 
 level therewith. 
 
 A flip of wood is to be fitted for a door, 
 to turn outward to the left, on a pivot or 
 pin, and to {hut in a bevel, with a fmall 
 notch, that it may be opened by the point of 
 
 a fork. 
 
BEE BOXES. 43 
 
 a fork. It muft fhut fo far in as to be flufh 
 with the fide of the box. 
 
 The top (pL i, fig. 2.) is to be compofed 
 of fix flips of wood, which I name bars, 
 a, a, a, a, a, a, three quarters of an inch thick; 
 the two outermoft, one inch and a quarter 
 broad ; the other four, one and a half. The 
 ends of the fecond and fifth bars are to be 
 let into the front and back edges of the box, 
 and flufh with the outfide ; the remaining 
 four bars are to be of a due length, to pafs 
 eafily withinfide from front to back. Two 
 fillets, each an inch broad, are to be braided 
 to the bars, or rather let in tranfverfely, of the 
 diameter of the box, and near their ends, not 
 only to keep the bars at half an inch exa£t 
 diftance from each other, and from the fides 
 of the box, but to conned the whole like a 
 frame together, and to take in or out, with 
 the combs fixed to them, at pleafure. The 
 bars (ift, 3d, 4th, and 6th) ferve alfo to 
 prevent the frame from flipping from its 
 fituation. The top, thus made, will have fix 
 bars, and [even apertures, or openings, like 
 the ftraw hives. 
 
 There is to be but one close cover, or 
 
 lid 
 
44 BEE BOXES. 
 
 lid of wood, three quarters of an inch thick, 
 to three boxes ; which is to take off and on 
 by means of four fcrews, one at each cor- 
 ner. 
 
 Loose floors are to be provided with 
 the boxes, to be planed on one fide, and 
 filleted at the ends to prevent warping, and 
 of an inch more in their dimenfions than the 
 tops of the boxes. If a board broad enough 
 cannot be had, a leffer muft be added, rab- 
 heted and doweled thereto. One floor only 
 is neceflary for a fuit (three) of boxes, but 
 two or three fpare ones will often be wanted, 
 
 OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 A minute exa&nefs is abfolutely necef- 
 fary in working the boxes; for though the 
 unexperienced may imagine the deviation 
 of a quarter or eighth of an inch from what 
 has been directed will be of no confequence, 
 neverthelefs fuch miftake or negligence in 
 any part would render the apparatus unfit 
 for the ufe it was intended for. 
 
 Firft obferve, that the edges of the boxes, 
 both top and bottom, are to be truly leyel 
 that when indifcriminately fet one over or 
 
 under 
 
BEE BOXES* 45 
 
 Under another, no chafms or vacancies are 
 left between them. 
 
 Secondly, that the frame of bars be made 
 to take out with eafe. 
 
 Thirdly, that the fcrews for the covers 
 fhould be flight but long, to pafs in at the 
 fides, exactly one inch and a half, from 
 front and back, fo that any cover may fcrew 
 on any box, without making frefh holes. 
 They fhould always be greafed before they 
 are put in, or they will become rufty, and 
 not to be drawn out without great disturb- 
 ance to the bees 3 and much inconveniency. 
 
 Fourthly, great care muft be taken that no 
 fnags or fplints of wood, heads, or points of 
 nails, rife in the leaft degree above the fur- 
 face, as a brafs plate is deligned to Aide over 
 the tops. 
 
 A necefTary appendage, as well to the 
 hives as boxes, are two bIiass plates, 
 of one Jixteenth of an inch thick as near as 
 poffible, fifteen inches wide, and fifteen and 
 a half long, which half inch is to be turned 
 upright to pull it out by. Thsy muft be 
 fet on a true level. If they are thicker ,ihc bees 
 will efcape on their introduction ; and if 
 
 thinner? 
 
46 BEE BOXES. 
 
 thinner y they will not be ftrong enough td 
 retain their neceffary elafticity and level, but 
 will bulge in the middle, and let the bees 
 out. 
 
 The braziers or ironmongers will fupply 
 them. I gave in London fixteen pence per 
 pound, and they came to eight millings. 
 
 But as in many counties large brafs pans 
 or kettles are ufed, and, when unfit for boil- 
 ing ufe, are fold as old brafs; the bottoms 
 of fuch of thefe as are of the proper dimen- 
 fions, and not having holes of a fize for a bee 
 to pafs, will do better than new, as being 
 tougher ; and any fmith will reduce them to 
 a level, and turn up one edge. They may 
 be bought at the price of old brafs, i. e. about 
 fix-pence per pound. A pair come only to 
 four millings. , 
 
 I had an iron plate made which came to 
 near as much as the brafs, but did not keep 
 its level fo well, and was more unhandy. 
 Steel, being elaftic, would retain the level 
 much better, but I fuppofe would be dearer, 
 and liable to ruft ; which brafs is not, and 
 will at all times fetch a large (hare of its firft 
 coil. 
 
 Eight 
 
Bee boxes. 47 
 
 Eight or nine (hillings by Tome may be 
 thought too expenfive ; but the great utility 
 and conveniency of the plates, I am warranted 
 to fay, will much over- balance that increafe 
 of price. Every apiator mufl be feelingly 
 convinced of the difficulty and embarraflP- 
 ment of feparating hives of bees, and in the 
 other operations, by any of the methods made 
 public. Indeed, by them the bees of uriUer 
 hives are prevented from aflaulting the ope- 
 rator ; yet thofe of the upper ones are left 
 entirely free to execute their whole re- 
 
 venge. 
 
 By the ufe of the two plates, or dividers, 
 and by doors to fhut, this great danger and 
 inconvenience is entirely avoided, as the 
 bees of both hives are equally in- 
 clofed, and prevented from infulting the 
 apiator. 
 
 Beiides, if only one is bought, it is 
 adequate in advantage with any other con- 
 trivance, and will fuit hives as well as 
 boxes. 
 
 Moreover, the plates are not periihable 
 articles, but with care may laft for genera- 
 tions; and it muft be remembered that the 
 
 charge 
 
48 BEE BOXES. 
 
 charge lies on the whole apiary, and that 
 only for once. 
 
 Cottagers, whom I Wifh to benefit, or 
 others, may club in the purchafe, by which 
 the coil: will be but (lightly felt. Or perhaps 
 country fhopkeepers would find it their inte- 
 reft to be furnifhed with fuits of plates to 
 let out. 
 
 I have propofed a large window to a box, 
 as I found a fmall one of little ufe, and af- 
 fording but little entertainment. Thofe who 
 would choofe a more enlarged view of the 
 bees in boxes, may have large windows in 
 the three fides. 
 
 Doors to the hives and boxes will be found 
 of great advantage on many occafions, par- 
 ticularly in palling the dividers under hives, 
 to prevent the egrefs of the bees if the door- 
 ways are flopped, and on various other oc- 
 eafions. 
 
 Boxes of bees placed in the window of 
 a room much incommode the company 
 whenever the window is opened. The fide 
 of the room fuits better : a proper open- 
 ing to be made in the wall, and a fmall tin 
 trough adapted to pats through to the door- 
 way 
 
BEE BOXES* 49 
 
 Way of the box. On the infide a fhelf is to 
 be fixed, that the box may ftand fo clofe 
 as to leave no admiffion for the bees into 
 the room, and be fo fecured as not to be 
 difplaced by any careleffnefs or inadver- 
 tency* 
 
 Apiators who have boxes, but Whofe open- 
 ings are on a different plan to that now of- 
 fered*, may*, at a little expence, have them 
 altered thereto, provided the dimenfions of 
 the boxes do not exceed that of the dividers. 
 The fuperfluous vacancy may, however, be 
 filled up with folid wood, or new tops may 
 be made with the bars and apertures, as I 
 have defcribedj though the box itfelf be 
 much larger. For mould the dividers be 
 enlarged, the hands will not extend fuffi- 
 ciently underneath to keep them clofe, Or 
 fteadily to fupport the great weight : there- 
 fore the apertures and bars muft not be 
 longer than thofe of my plan, commencing 
 from the back. Octagon boxes may have a 
 fedion of the back taken off, and a large 
 window fupply its place* 
 
 The timber of the boxes is directed to be 
 E one 
 
5<D BEE HOUSE. 
 
 one inch thick, for one quarter of an inch 
 thinner will render them not warm enough. 
 The floors of the hives and boxes being 
 moveable y will be of very great utility and 
 advantage in all the operations, and mull 
 be fo evident to every reflecting apiator, as 
 to need no further recommendation. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 OF A BEE HOUSE FOR THREE STOCKS. 
 
 T is to be formed as in pi. i, fig. i, and 
 fix feet long, exclufive of the ports. 
 
 Four polls of three inches fquare. 
 
 Two long rails to nail the floor upon, 
 and two flight ones to nail the roof to. 
 
 A floor, feventeen inches in breadth, to 
 be laid acrofs the rails. 
 
 A roof, four boards. 
 
 Two folding doors. 
 
 The pofts are to be fixed to the due length, 
 and feventeen inches in breadth to their out- 
 
 fide 
 
BEE HOUSE, 51 
 
 fide. They are to be fecured in the ground at 
 a proper depth, and five feet above the earth, 
 and fet truly perpendicular. The tops to be 
 bevelled one inch and a half. 
 
 The two Jirong rails of an inch thic.knefs 
 are to let into the ports on the outfide, and 
 ftrongly nailed, one in front, the other be- 
 hind : to thefe the floor is to be fattened, 
 croft-wife, perfectly level. 
 
 Th.Q Jlight rails are to be let into the tops 
 of the polls clofe to the ends of the bevel, 
 to nail the roof upon. 
 
 On the bevel of the pofts are to be fixed 
 two boards, each fix inches wide, to extend 
 beyond them two inches behind and be- 
 fore. 
 
 Two more boards, each at lead twelve 
 inches wide, and one thick, of yellow deal, 
 and free from knots, are to be nailed floping 
 againft each other, to complete the roof. 
 Their edges on both fides are to be bevelled 
 offfo-as to meet at top, and make a neat 
 joint; and to prevent warping, braces acrofs 
 on the infide will be neceifary. 
 
 The front of the houfe, A, is to be in- 
 
 clofed by three quarters of an inch boards, 
 
 E 2 placed 
 
52 BEE HOUSE. 
 
 placed perpendicularly in lengths, from the 
 top to the rail of the floor, and rabbeted to 
 each other. The boxes are to ftand fix 
 inches from the ends, and eight from each 
 other. 
 
 Openings are to be cut againft each door- 
 way of the boxes, fix inches in length, and 
 two in depth, a, #, #, efKmating from the 
 loofe floors of the boxes. 
 
 Similar openings are to be cut eleven 
 inches higher up, in a line with the firft, and 
 even with the tops of the boxes when their 
 covers or lids are off. 
 
 To the edges of the openings circular 
 pieces of wood are to be braided, a little 
 declining, for the bees to alight upon. 
 
 A batten, bevelled at both edges, fhould 
 be nailed on the outfide, juft under the 
 higheft alighting boards, to ftrengthen the 
 front boards, and prevent their warping or 
 calling. 
 
 The back is to have two doors, (hutting 
 againft each other in a rabbet, and to fallen 
 with a hafp. 
 
 The ends are to be clofed as the proprietor 
 choofes. 
 
 7 Good 
 
BEE HOUSE. $3 
 
 Good painting will be of advantage to 
 preferve the whole. The door- ways fhould 
 be of different colours, for the bees the 
 better to diftinguifh their refpecYive habita- 
 tions. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 The jun&ion of the boards at the top, 
 however clofe at firft, will gape afterwards 
 by the changes from heat to wet ; to remedy 
 which flop it with putty, or rather, as foon 
 as it is nailed on, a flip of thin lead, of two 
 inches broad, fhould be tacked over the junc- 
 tion, which will effectually prevent wet 
 from getting through. Bohea tea-cheftlead, 
 that which is whole y will anfwer the purpofe. 
 It is of the moft material confequence to 
 bees to exclude wet. I have tried feverai 
 other materials for roofs, but none anfwered 
 fo well; and mine is a very trying fitua- 
 tion. 
 
 If the front is not truly perpendicular, and 
 
 the floor truly level, the boxes will not fit 
 
 clofe to the front, and thereby leave vacancies 
 
 E 3 between 
 
j/j. BEE HOUSE. ' 
 
 between by which the bees may pafs into 
 the houfe ; which would be very detri- 
 mental. 
 
 The openings for the paflage of the bees 
 are larger than thofe of the boxes, as being 
 more convenient on many occafions. No 
 openings are made in the houfe for triplets, 
 as being unneceflary. 
 
 Three of the front boards of the houfe, in 
 which the openings are to be cut, fhould be 
 eleven or twelve inches wide; or they will be 
 too much weakened, by cutting fix inches 
 in length out, to ftand true. 
 
 The principal intention of a bee houfe and 
 boxes, is for the more commodious infpec- 
 tion of the bees by the curious and wealthy. 
 Three ftocks anfwer this defign as well as a 
 larger number, as they furnidi only a repe- 
 tition of the fame fcenes. However, a bee 
 , houfe is, in fome refpecl, of real ufe to thofe 
 who keep a number of ftraw-hived flocks, 
 as standards, from which, by infpe&ion, 
 a judgment may be formed of the good or 
 bad condition of the flocks in draw hives : 
 but, that boxes are more productive than thofe, 
 
 is 
 
BEE HOUSE. 55 
 
 is a great mijlake, if both are managed by 
 the fame method of storifying. 
 
 Many contrivances for the purpofe of 
 fheltering boxes have been pradtifed as a 
 fubftitute for a houfe; but, iri the end, are 
 not cheaper, and not near (o convenient 
 for performing the operations ; neither are 
 they fo eligible for infpection. Mv bee 
 houfe here, ten feet long, coft me near thirty 
 ^hillings. 
 
 H 4 CHAP, 
 
5$ STORIFYINCSi 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 ON STORIFYINQ. 
 
 VJF all the methods which have hitherto 
 come to my knowledge for the conducting 
 of bees, that oijlorifying undoubtedly yields 
 much the greateft profit^ and is the moft con- 
 genial to their natural habitude, and ftyle of 
 working. , 
 
 By florifying is meant the fetting of one, 
 two, or three hives over each other, as duplets: 
 or triplets. 
 
 It is found that three pecks of bees in one 
 hive, will collect more honey than a bufhel, 
 divided into two ; becaufe a fingle hive has 
 not combs enough to receive the numerous 
 eggs that a queen is capable of furnifhing, 
 and cells fufficient at the fame time to 
 hold the honey. 
 
 Thus being limited to a fmall compafs, 
 the increafe muft proportionally be fo too. 
 For great part of the bees are neceffarily 
 employed in rearing -the young, and there^ 
 
 fore 
 
STORIFY1NG. $J 
 
 fore the number of thofe who are occupied 
 in collecting honey is not near fo great as 
 has been imagined. 
 
 A good Jlorijier that has not fwarmed, or 
 has had the fwarm returned, will increafe 
 thirty pounds in feven days, in a favourable 
 iituation and feafon : whereas a fingle-hived 
 {lock in the fame apiary and feafon, that 
 has fwarmed, will not increafe above five 
 pounds in the fame time. For every fwarm, 
 the leaft as well as the greateft, is provided 
 with a queen, equal in fecundity to the 
 queen of the largeft ftock ; and as the brood 
 fhe brings continually demands the labour 
 and attendance of probably near half the 
 bees; this circumftance renders the other 
 moiety, from the fmallnefs of their number^ 
 unable to accumulate a large quantity of 
 honey in the ihort time it moftly abounds. 
 Whereas, by doubling, and trebling the 
 hives, the bees are never at a ftand for room 
 to extend their combs, as faft as requifite for 
 honey or brood. 
 
 Bees, confidered individually, live about 
 a year, progreffively coming into birth, and 
 as gradually decaying. It hence follows, 
 
 that 
 
58 STORIFYING. 
 
 that thofe born in autumn, or fpring, or in 
 the intervening months, inevitably die about 
 the fame time in the fucceeding periods of 
 time, and fo in a regular proportion during 
 the breeding feafon ; but this is not per- 
 ceived while the brood is rapidly increafmg, 
 and counterbalancing the chafms made by 
 death. 
 
 The queen often lays two or three hun-* 
 dred eggs in a few hours ; which occafions 
 as fudden a difappearance at the ftated pe- 
 riod, and which accounts for that great 
 th'mnefs obfervable in hives after the fwarm- 
 ing feaion is over, as if a fwarm had efcaped, 
 This likewife demonftrates, that . at the ge- 
 neral time of deprivation, all hives, or (locks, 
 according to their populoufnefs, are com- 
 pofed of bees of all ages, from thofe in 
 embryo, to thofe of old age. Confequently, 
 although individuals die daily, young ones 
 rife to birth, to fucceed them, as do the hu- 
 man race in towns and cities. But, by fto- 
 rifying, the family is perpetuated to any 
 length of time, without the cruel necejfity 
 and trouble of dejtroying indlfcriminately both 
 old and young. 
 
 The 
 
STORIFYING. 59 
 
 The ftory method can in no cafe be pre- 
 judicial, though the bees mould be prevented 
 thereby from fwarming : on the contrary, 
 it would be* a great advantage if it did fo ; 
 for then artificial fwarming would not be 
 wanted to perpetuate flocks, which would 
 be effected without fuch affiftance. Writers 
 have however followed each other, by af- 
 ferting that by ftorifying no fwarms will 
 rife. From long experience I am certain 
 of the reverfe. When duplets or triplets 
 do not fwarm, it is not from that caufe : it is 
 from abortions of the royal brood, and fe- 
 deral other cafualties. 
 
 Nor is there any danger of being over- 
 Jlocked; for however numerous a Mock may 
 be in bees during fumme-r, in winter they 
 will be reduced to a quart. Befides which, 
 bad feafons often happen, and many acci- 
 dents arife that will require recruiting, and 
 which may be happily effected by forbear- 
 ing to double a good flock, and a fwarm will 
 be the fooner obtained. The following Est 1- 
 mate will fhow how far the advantage in- 
 clines to for if cation. 
 
 A Com- 
 
6o 
 
 ST0R1FYING. 
 
 A Comparative EJimate of Stocks kept in Singh Hives, and 
 iboje -placed according to the Storifying Method. 
 
 FIRST YEAR. Dr. 
 
 12 flocks on an ave- 
 rage, yielding 15 
 
 lbs. of honey each, 
 
 is 180 lbs. at6d.£.j\. 10 o 
 Suppofmg each hive 
 
 to have a caft, 
 
 each ofwhichufu- 
 
 allyaffords .jibs. — 
 
 36 lbs. at 6d. 
 Wax 1 lb. each, and 
 
 4 oz. the caft, at 
 
 j8d. 
 
 o 18 o 
 
 2 6 
 
 N.B. They are fup- 
 pofed to emit 12 
 good fwarms, to 
 ftand for flocks. 
 
 To balance in fa- 
 vour of the ftory 
 method 
 
 £.6 10 6 
 
 1 6 
 
 Thus at the end of 
 the year the flocks 
 will be equal. 
 
 £.8 12 o 
 
 SECOND YEAS. 
 
 12 flocks being the 
 
 laft year's fwarms ^.4 10 o 
 Cafts, or fmall fwarms o 18 o 
 Wax, - 126 
 
 £.6 10 6 
 Balance in favour 
 
 offtorifying 4 17 6 
 
 £.u 8 
 
 FIRST YEAR. Cr. 
 
 1 2 flocks on an ave- 
 rage will yield two 
 additional hives of 
 honey, of 16 lbs. 
 each— 3 84 lbs. at 
 6d. - £.9 12 o 
 
 Wax, i§ each hive, 1 16 o 
 
 £.il 
 
 Difcount for the 
 extraordinary ex- 
 pences, viz. 
 24 hives at I4d. 1 
 12 floors, - o 
 
 24 wooden tops, o 
 
 2 brais plates, o 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 12 
 
 10 
 
 £.i 16 o 
 
 £.8 12 q 
 
 SECOND YEAR. 
 
 12 flocks produce as 
 
 laft year £,9 120 
 
 Wax - 1 i6q 
 
 £.11 8 o 
 
8T0R1FY1NG* 6l 
 
 From hence it appears, that by laying out 
 two pounds jixteen JhHlings for the extraor- 
 dinary apparatus of the firjl year, a fuperior 
 profit is to be gained of two pounds one {hil- 
 ling and fixpence. But in the Jucceedlng 
 years it will amount to four pounds feventeen 
 {hillings, that is about fifty per cent, per 
 annum, on the two pounds fixteen {hillings 
 fo laid out : or four pounds feventeen 
 fhillings and fixpence a-year more, gained 
 by ftorifying twelve flocks, than by a like 
 number in Jingle hives. 
 
 This ftatement is made upon the hweji 
 calculation in favour of ftorifying, which 
 ufually yields much more honey and wax 
 than here afligned, and that greatly fuperior 
 in quality, and confequently more valuable ; 
 but which cannot be obtained from common 
 Jingle hives. The inftruments are rated 
 higher than what they will ufually coft, be- 
 fides their advantage of durability. 
 
 Though I fuppofed each common-hived 
 Hock to emit a good frji fwarm, which 
 they often do notj or it is frequently loft, and 
 though fome often afford two or three, they 
 in general are but trifling, and abate con- 
 fid erablv 
 
6l STORIFYING. 
 
 fiderably of the produce of the mother flock, 
 often to its ruin— what I have allowed for 
 calls, in the common run, will be the full 
 amount* 
 
 The eflimate is founded on the produc- 
 tions of middling fituations ; but in better, a 
 fingle hive may produce a flock of from 
 thirty to forty-fix pounds weight, grofs ; the 
 higher likewife will be the proportional ad*- 
 vantage in ftorifying. Where hives weigh 
 fo, they are ufually much larger than the 
 general fize : and I think in the Jingle me- 
 thod, no hive fhould be lefs than three 
 pecks, or perhaps a bumei, but not more 
 than twelve inches in height. The twelve 
 flocks will require three millings and fix- 
 pence to be laid oat in new hives, every 
 third year, which I fet againft twelve new 
 hives at lead, which muft be bought for 
 f warms in the (ingle management. No 
 other branch of hujbandry (I am inclined to 
 think) will return jo large an inter eft on fo 
 jmall an expenditure. 
 
 Befides the advantages already mentioned, 
 
 there are others of confequence which de- 
 
 ferve notice. lit. In avoiding the unnecef- 
 
 9 fary 
 
STORIFYING, 6j 
 
 fary and difagreeable trouble of suffocat- 
 ing the bees. 2d. In relieving fwarms 
 when too large. 3d. In preventing idlenefs 
 in their lying out. 4th. In uniting of 
 fwarms. 5th. In the means of cleanlinefs 
 and wholefomenefs 1 . 6th. In preferving 
 them from moths, mice, and other infects, 
 by the frequent fhifting of the hives. 7th. 
 In giving ample and timely enlargement. 
 8th. In being provided againfl bad feafons. 
 Laflly, In taking but little room in an apiary : 
 as for inflance, four flocks will require no 
 more ground to ftand on than they had at 
 firft ; while common hives will demand 
 twice or thrice as much for fwarms, but 
 producing lefs honey. 
 
 The INDICATIONS FOR STORIFYING 
 
 flocks, are the appearance cf an increafe of 
 numbers, and in their activity, favoured by 
 the mildnefs of the feafpn. If the flock 
 be a lafl year's fwarm, fet a duplet over 
 it ; and as foon as that feems, by j|s weight, 
 to be three parts full, fet a triplet cvsr the 
 duplet ; which laft^ when full, or nearly io y 
 is to be taken off, and probably will be all 
 intire virgin honey, and without brood, 
 
 Then 
 
64 Sl'OfelFYlftC?* 
 
 Then raife the duplet* or double hive* by 
 placing a triplet under it. But if the 
 ftrength of the flock is great, and there is 
 plenty of honey pafturage* fo that another 
 triplet may be expe&ed to be filled, place 
 the triplet over, inftead of that which was 
 taken off. Perhaps, in fome good feafons 
 and fituations, three or four triplets may be 
 taken, if they are opportunely applied. 
 
 But if the ftock is of two years Handings 
 It muft be raifed on a nadir ; and as often as 
 it requires enlargement take the fuperior 
 hive ofF, and put a triplet in its place ; and 
 
 proceed thus as oecafion may require. 
 
 Thefe two methods of fuperhiving the lajl 
 year's fwarm one year, and the next of nadir- 
 hiving the fame flock, will be a fure means 
 of obtaining the greater!: quantity of virgin 
 honey i and the largeft quantity of the beji 
 wax, 
 
 Obferve, in all cafes, when hives are fet 
 over another, that if the nadir is judged to 
 be about three parts full, the door of it muft 
 be Hopped, and that of the duplet opened, 
 or the bees will not fo foon be tempted to 
 afcend, to work in the duplet, nor will this 
 
 procedure 
 
STORIFYING. 65 
 
 procedure increafe the labour of the bees in 
 the meanwhile, as the way down is as fhort 
 as the way up. 
 
 On the contrary, when a hive is placed 
 under, the door of it muft be flopped for a 
 week or two, or till there is reafon to think 
 there are fome combs made in it ; and then 
 it is to be opened, and in two or three days 
 after Jhut again, difguifing it with a cloth, 
 &c. hung before it, for two or three days. 
 
 Be particularly careful not to let the flocks 
 be crowded, before they are ftorified. For 
 if a princefs is impregnated early ^ it may 
 occafion a fwarm to rife fuddenly : for often 
 great numbers of brood are hatched toge- 
 ther, and therefore from want of room be- 
 come ferocious, and occafion much incon- 
 veniency to the apiator and bees ; but pre- 
 fently become peaceful and fatisfied on en- 
 largement. For an additional hive having 
 communications in direct lines with the 
 combs of the hives added, the bees are led 
 to efteem the whole as one hive, in a few 
 days after its application. 
 
 In fome critical days or weeks, when 
 
 honey dews are plentiful, or white clover or 
 
 F other 
 
66 STORIFYING. 
 
 ether pafturage is abundant, the quantity of 
 honey collected in a few days will be almoft 
 incredible, if they have room enough to 
 lodge it, filling a hive in /even days : often 
 more than can be accumulated in a whole 
 feafon. 
 
 But the advantages arifing from addi- 
 tional hives are entirely loft in the old Jingle 
 method. 
 
 The duplets are in general not to be 
 taken off till late, left the queen mould be 
 therein, or it be moftly rilled with brood. But 
 fuper-triplets may be always taken as foon 
 as filled. 
 
 Bees never begin to work in an addi- 
 tional hive s until new combs are wanted 
 for eggs, or honey ; and then the bees will 
 begin to hang down, in ranges, or curtains, 
 which Is always a fign they have begun to 
 make- combs. 
 
 Bees often want enlargement before 
 fwarm time ; which is denoted by their 
 idly playing about the door and hive. 
 It is the owner's fault and lofs if he fuffers 
 it to continue. 
 
 Duplicated SoxesvAW fometimes appear/**// 
 
 of 
 
STORIFYING. 67 
 
 of combs and bees, through the back win- 
 dows, though perhaps they are not above 
 a quarter or half filled, the combs being only 
 at the back. 
 
 If the bees of a triplet lie out, before the 
 ufual time of deprivation, it fhould be taken 
 and placed at a confiderable difcance, and the 
 duplified flock raifed on a nadir hive: if, in 
 two or three hours after, the bees of the 
 flock feem quiet, and work as before, as well 
 as thofe removed, it is a fign they have a 
 queen in each ; and the hive taken may be 
 reserved as a flock, if iuch is wanted, or 
 fumed, and the queen taken away : moll 
 likely there will be much brood, which 
 may be fet over a weak flock, or returned 
 again to its mother flock. 
 
 In cafe duplets have idlers, they are to be 
 raifed on a triplet, and in about a month 
 the fuperior hive is to be taken off. For when 
 lying out in hot weather, though their hives 
 are not full, and the fwarming feafon is 
 paft, the bees will not enter notwithftanding ; 
 but by adding a nadir hive, the accommo- 
 dation of a fpacious and cool hall to regale 
 F 2 themfelyes 
 
68 STORIFYING. 
 
 themfelves will induce the idlers to enter 
 it. 
 
 If it is fufpected that bees are idle (which, 
 though they do not clufler out, may be disco- 
 vered by their not being fo active as their 
 neighbours), turn the hive up in the middle 
 of 'the day: and if the combs are partly 
 empty, it may be concluded they have either 
 loft their queen, or (he is unprolific, or is 
 without drones; in which cafe they are to be 
 ilightly fumed in the evening, and fet over 
 another flock ; particularly a weak one to 
 flrengthen them. 
 
 But if the flock is abundant in bees, and 
 mofl likely in honey, let them Hand till a 
 young queen can be taken from a fvvarm ; 
 when placing her jufl within the door, ihe 
 will be joyfully received. Otherwife, if it 
 is about the middle of the feafon, fume, and 
 place them over a flock ; and by that means 
 it will produce a very large quantity of ho- 
 ney, 
 
 Hraniy breeders produce but little honey or 
 brood ; lo that, wlvilft other flocks are rapidly 
 wicreaQog in riches, thefe will barely get 
 
 enough 
 
STORIFYING. 69 
 
 enough to fupport themfelves in the win- 
 ter. 
 
 Empty combs placed in a duplet will not 
 entice them the fooner to work therein ; for 
 till the hive is completely full, and they are 
 in want of others, they will not afcend, 
 which in bad feafons may not happen for a 
 confiderable time : neverthelefs, from being 
 ready, they may be of confiderable advan- 
 tage. 
 
 About the tenth of July the upper dears 
 of all ftoried frocks mould be clofed, to in- 
 duce the queen with more certainty to de- 
 fcend, and breed in the lower hive, except it 
 is dejignedto be taken ; for then the door is to 
 be fhut, and the upper one opened. 
 
 It often happens that in poor Jituations, or 
 in a long feafon of very inclement weather^ 
 neither duplets nor triplets will have work 
 therein ; and this is not imputable to a bad 
 method of management, or want of con- 
 duel:, but wholly to a failure of the refources 
 of pafturage, or of opportunities to gather 
 it ; which fometimes has been fo great as to 
 prevent the generality of ftocks from pro- 
 curing a fufficiency for their own winter's 
 F 3 fupply. 
 
JO' STORIFYING. 
 
 fupply. It is neceffary in fummer, when a 
 hive has few bees, to ftrengthen it with a 
 portion of bee? from one that is ftrong. This 
 will enable the queen to breed fail:, and the 
 hive will prove as profperous as any hive you 
 have. But in all fcch reinforcements, the 
 hive fo replenished mould be fet at as great 
 a diflance as your convenience will allow, 
 for feveral weeks. This is a rule to be ob- 
 ferved in all fnch cafes. 
 
 Stocks that have emitted fwarms can but 
 rarely be expecled to yield a duplet that fum- 
 mer, unlefs the fwarm is. returned. Much 
 lefs can a fwarm do it, though I have 
 known fome exceptions in extraordinary 
 fituations. 
 
 To repleniJJ? a flock that is /canty of bees, 
 fet fome empty combs, and pour the cells of 
 one fide full of fugared ale, or platters of it, 
 fiightly covering it with a little hay or herbs, 
 to prevent the bees from damaging them- 
 felves in it : fet it on a hive floor in the 
 morning, and place an empty hive over it, 
 in the mid ft of the apiary. 
 
 A great multitude oi bees will be attracted 
 by the odour, and auemble round the feaft. 
 
 As 
 
STORIFYING. 71 
 
 As foon as that is perceived, flop the door of 
 the hive until night"; when the bees having 
 afcended to the top of the hive, take it, and 
 give them a flight fuming, and place them 
 over or under the flock that moil wants 
 their affiftance. 
 
 If a queen is killed or dies in the fum- 
 mer, it may be known by the bees not carry- 
 ing in any farina, or by the door of the 
 queenlefs flock being much crowded, as well 
 as that to which they carry the honey. Both 
 hives appear prodigioufly active, as though 
 a honey dew had commenced, and with a 
 clear uninterrupted buz, with crumbs of wax 
 about the door. Immediately flop the door 
 of the unfortunate flock, and unflop it in 
 the evening : the interlopers will then fly 
 home. Early in the morning, take the hive 
 to a proper diflance, and fume it, or keep 
 them confined till next day, in a darkened 
 room. They will then very peaceably and 
 readily quit the hive on a little drumming 
 on the fides. If the hive has much honey, 
 cut the combs out ; but take care of thofe 
 that have brood, and add them to fome other 
 ftock. The bees, however, will continue 
 working till all the young are fealed up. 
 
 F 4 If 
 
72 STORIFYING. 
 
 If a like accident happen in winter, take 
 the bees out, put them to a flock, and take 
 the honey. 
 
 In the want of a hive upon a fudden de- 
 mand of enlargement, and not having a 
 proper one in readinefs, fet a common one 
 with bars acrofs it, in a pail or bucket, and 
 place the flock over it -, next* night clofe the 
 joining, and at the accuflomed time fepa- 
 rate it by the dividers, and take the bottom 
 one away. 
 
 Summers have fometimes been fo hot 
 as to foften the combs fo much as to tumble 
 them down, occafion the fmothering of the 
 bees, and ruin of the ftock. To prevent 
 this, in fuch weather, give them enlarge- 
 ment, and raife iingle hives behind : fcreen 
 them as much as poffible from the fun, by 
 large boughs, pouring often plenty of water 
 about their hives, and taking off the hackels. 
 Bee houfes fhould have all their doors fet 
 open. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
SWARMS, 73 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 THE NATURE OF SWARMS. 
 
 UURING the winter, flocks that are po- 
 pulous in the fummer become reduced by 
 age and accidents to the fmall quantity of a 
 quart, and the weaker flocks fuflain a propor- 
 tional diminution. The repeopling the hives, 
 therefore, depends on the amazing fecun- 
 dity of the queen, which furnifhes 
 thofe new-born multitudes that conflitute 
 the fwarms. 
 
 In confequence of a continued great in- 
 creafe, the bees feel a natural impulfe to 
 fwarm. This law they are impatient to 
 obey, in defiance of all the obftacles that 
 the ingenuity of man has contrived to its 
 taking place. A fwarm does not confifl of 
 all young bees, but of old and young- promifcu- 
 oufly. 
 
 The breeding of young bees is begun 
 fooner or later, in proportion to the fruitful 
 
 nefs 
 
74 SWARMS. 
 
 nefs of the queen, the populoufnefs of the 
 frock, the goodnefs of the fituation, and of 
 the weather. The more numerous the bees 
 are in the hive, the greater will be the heat 
 to enable the queen to begin breeding earlier 
 than thofe of other flocks. When bees are 
 carefully fupplied with food in fpring, they 
 breed faft even in bad weather. 
 
 When January proves mild, the breeding 
 will fometimes commence at the latter end 
 of that month : but often in February, and 
 in March generally. As foon as bees carry 
 in farina, or yellow balls, on their legs, it is 
 a fure fign of the queen's having begun to 
 breed. A long feafon of cold and wet wea- 
 ther retards the hatching or increafing of 
 the breed, caufmg many abortions, and not 
 uncommonly that of the royal nymphs. 
 They may be feen caft out in fuch unkindly 
 feafons. 
 
 The influence of a genial fpring haftens 
 the breeding, and no lefs accelerates the blof- 
 foms proper for their nourimment ; the 
 fallows, willows, fnow-drops, crocufes, &c. 
 yielding plenty of farina. 
 
 £ut mould the weather be unfavourable 
 
 while 
 
SWARMS. 75 
 
 while thefe flowers are in bloom, thereby 
 preventing the bees from iflfuing out to col- 
 lect it, thofe already hatched will be fbarved ; 
 and it will alfo delay a farther increafe, 
 until a more aufpicious change takes place. 
 If a fpring is not very cold, but wet, it will 
 not favour the production of royal brood ; 
 yet the common cells will be filled whhyoung, 
 but no addition of honey ; which will caufe 
 the bees to be very anxious to fwarm, and 
 very irritable, flying about the hive in con- 
 fufion and difeontent. I have feveral times 
 feen royal ceih in which the workers were 
 continually introducing their heads, I fup- 
 pofe, to feed the maggot; but, after a few 
 days, they entirely neglected them, probably 
 as being abortive. In fuch cafes no fwarm 
 can rife until another birth yields a princefs. 
 In fpring, when bees that are in no want 
 of food fuddenly give over carrying, it may 
 denote the unprolificnefs of the queen; and 
 if the hive contain but few bees, they had 
 better be united to another flock. 
 
 In forward fprmgs, when the workers 
 
 are few, but the queen very pregnant, me 
 
 will be obliged to depofit her eggs fafter 
 
 4 than 
 
j6 SWARMS. 
 
 than the fmall number of bees can fupply 
 the maggots with fuflenance ; and they will 
 therefore perifh, and be caft out. This is a 
 difad vantage whkh arifes from keeping weak 
 flocks. 
 
 To judge of the fulnefs of a hive in May, 
 obferve the numbers of bees that enter the 
 refpe&ive hives, and form an eflimate. 
 
 Queens are not equally fruitful. 
 While fome breed flowly or not at all, others 
 will fpeedily increafe in prodigious num- 
 bers. Sterile queens mould be exchanged 
 for the fpare queen of a fwarm ; or at tak- 
 ing up time deftroyed, and a new flock 
 fubflituted. 
 
 From the middle of May to the middle of 
 June is the moll advantageous time for 
 fwarming ; but they often rife, not only at 
 the beginning of April, or fooner, but alfo 
 as late as the 20th of Auguft ; counties and 
 feafons being fo very various. Very early 
 ones are feldom large enough to conflitute 
 a good flock; and are in danger of perifh- 
 ing if bad weather fucceeds. Ferv late 
 ones, though moftly large, will often not 
 have fufficient time to lay up an ade- 
 quate 
 
SWARMS. 77 
 
 quate ftore for the winter, nor rear a brood 
 in time : befide which, their emigration di- 
 minifhes the parent Jlock fo much as to en- 
 danger its being ftarved during the next 
 fpring. The prevention is, to encourage 
 timely fwarms by warmth, and by a trough 
 of fugared ale now and then, in February 
 and March. But whether the fwarms are 
 early or late, is a matter of no confequence 
 in the ftory method, by which they are re- 
 turned to the flocks. 
 
 In a good ' feafon for early honey-gathering, 
 the flocks will not be forward to fwarm, 
 though they have a princefs ready ; being 
 then wholly intent to collecl: the precious 
 fweets, and almofl deferting the hive: the 
 few left, finding fuch fpacious room, and full 
 employment, have no temptation to rife, and 
 quit fuch treafure for an empty hive. 
 
 Though a fpring ihoukl be cold, and other- 
 wife unfavourable, a fwarm may rife the firft 
 or fecond fine funny day, if a princefs is 
 impregnated, notwithstanding the hive may 
 be very thin of bees. The fwarm, of courfe, 
 will be fmall. New fwarms will gradually 
 defert their hive on a continuance of bad 
 
 weather, 
 
78 SWARMS. 
 
 weather, and unite with another flock or 
 flocks, without lofs to their matter. 
 
 The increafe of fwarms in calm fituations- 
 is frequently three from a hive; and fwarms 
 will emit fwarms, or maiden ones. But it 
 is to be obferved, that in thefe cafes the pro- 
 duction of honey is proportionally lefs, not 
 near fo much as might be expected from the 
 multitude of bees, for the reafons before 
 affigned. 
 
 Frequently, when flocks in very good fili- 
 ations have many princefTes, fwarms will 
 rife though the weather has been unfavour- 
 able; while flocks only two miles diflant 
 may be flarving, and afford no fwarm. 
 
 Stocks fingle-hived, on being filled, and 
 having a fuitable princefs, will often fwarm 
 repeatedly, though of fmall bulk ; by reafon 
 that, having no more fpace to work in, they 
 w r ould rather fwarm than be idle, that the 
 precious advantage of honey-gathering may 
 not be loft. 
 
 In very dry seasons few fwarms are 
 difcharged. On examining the hives, no 
 princefs or royal cell was found. The caufe 
 is uncertain ; perhaps the drought did not 
 
 favour 
 
SWARMS. 79 
 
 favour that kind of prolific nutriment fit to 
 produce royal eggs or brood, and therefore no 
 fwarms could be formed. Such flocks fhould 
 be taken at the feafon; for having, it is mofl 
 likely, none but old queens, they will die in 
 the winter, and put an end to the Hock. 
 
 Bees that are placed near woods find 
 therein abundant farina (the great fource of 
 early fwarms) to feed their young. In all 
 fituations that have plenty of farina, the bees 
 are remarkably forward and active. In the 
 heath countries, on the contrary, they are 
 later in their productions than in other fitu- 
 ations, feldom fwarming till the end of July, 
 owing to heath blowing late. In general, 
 the bleaker the fituation the later the fwarms. 
 
 A wet early feafon prevents the ga- 
 thering of farina: then late fwarms will be 
 the confequence ; and if the weather fhould 
 continue very indifferent, they will rife when 
 leafl expected, and be loft for want of 
 watching. 
 
 After ihefij? or prime fwarms have rifen, 
 the fucceeding ones fhould be returned to the 
 flock ; for if a fecond is emitted, it certainly 
 fo much impoverifhes the flock that little 
 
 honev 
 
So SWARMS. 
 
 honey can be cblle&ed afterwards, and will 
 not leave a fufficiency of bees to rear the 
 young, which at that time are abundant, 
 Undoubtedly there are exceptions, which a 
 difcreet apiator mud be left to judge of. 
 When additional Jiocks are not wanted, the 
 prime f warms are to be returned, as well as 
 cafts ; as being the molt profitable method. 
 The flocks on the ftoried plan cannot be 
 kept too full of bees in the fummer time. 
 
 Stocks that have not fwarmed before the 
 firft of July from fingle hives, fhould be re- 
 turned ; but reference in thefe and the like 
 cafes muft always be had to the difference of 
 feafons and fituations, in which local circum- 
 ftances only can direct the determination. 
 
 A large early swarm, with good wea- 
 ther fucceeding, will be far more productive 
 than a fimilar one that rifes later ; for having 
 more time before them, their hives will be 
 furnifhed with combs and brood before the 
 honey harveft commences, and then are 
 prepared with empty cells and young work- 
 ers, that will, in a fhort time, enable them to 
 collect: a large ftore of honey, if care has 
 been previoufly taken to provide them with 
 
 fpacious 
 
SWARMS* 8t 
 
 fpacioiis room. If bad weather mould in- 
 tervene, it will be prudent to feed them, for 
 which their fubfequent labour will amply 
 recompenfe* 
 
 There have been injlances of flocks which 
 have fwarmed, and notwithstanding in the 
 middle of July clujlered out; and on having 
 another hive fet Over them, ftill remained, 
 without afcending ; but two or three days 
 after, on fetting a hive under, they preferitly 
 entered, and worked vigoroufly. 
 
 With refpect to thofe flocks which do 
 not feem to increase in numbers, or ap- 
 pear to have drones ; a dozen or two 
 fhould be taken from another flock that has 
 plenty, and put to them. To effect this, in 
 a line funny afternoon, when the drones ifTue 
 out moft, take them fingly with the finger 
 and thumb as they pafs on the refting board, 
 and put them into a long phial, held ready 
 in the other hand, till the number wanted is 
 obtained : flop the phial with a notched 
 cork, and at night fallen the mouth of the 
 phial to the door-way of the hive, and by 
 morning they will have entered. 
 
 Thofe perfons who kill the drones 
 G in 
 
82 SWARMS* 
 
 in the fprmg^ are not aware that thereby 
 they are deftroying the only means of in- 
 creafe; for the drones are to bees what males 
 are to other creatures. But if it mould be 
 obferved that the drones in fummer are fo 
 abundant, efpecially of a weak (lock, as 
 nearly to confume the honey as faft as ga- 
 thered ; in this cafe, and this only, fome of 
 them may be deftroyed. 
 
 Many fchemes have been tried for dimi- 
 nishing the drones, but with little fuecefs. 
 For if they are flopped from entering their 
 own hive, they know their next neighbours 
 will gladly receive them : nor will traps 
 fufficiently deftroy them; and their appli- 
 cation greatly difturbs and hinders the work- 
 ers of not only their own hive, but alfo of 
 others. 
 
 More may be killed on the alighting board 
 in a fhort time by the end of a cafe knife,, 
 than by any other means ; and if done lei- 
 furely, the workers will not refent it for a 
 while. When they do, retreat, and try again 
 fome little time after. If continued long, the 
 workers will be fo difturbed as to enter other 
 hives, and the whole apiary be alarmed. If 
 
 the 
 
SWArMs. 83 
 
 the workers do not kill the drones at the 
 iifual time, a few may be killed by the fin- 
 gers ; and then thrufting a fmall twig into 
 the hive will provoke the workers to finifli 
 the bufinefs. Auguft is the ufual time of 
 mavTacre. The ftrongeft flocks expel them 
 the fooneft : however* if they are not killed 
 then, the cold weather effectually deftroys 
 them. 
 
 Great numbers of workers are bred before 
 princefTes or drones, which laft do not usu- 
 ally appear before May, unlefs in early 
 fprings; and the populous ftocks will have 
 them in March, and often in April. 
 
 Hives, however, will often be fo full of 
 bees as to clufter out, and frequently fwarm, 
 without any appearance of drones ; though it 
 is probable there may be afezv, but the wea- 
 ther too unfavourable for their fhewing 
 themfelves, as they are more tender than the 
 workers* 
 
 LYING or CLUSTERING. 
 
 The lying or cluttering out of bees, on 
 
 or about a hive, has been commonly looked 
 
 G 2 upon 
 
84 SWARMS. 
 
 upon as zfgn of their being ready to fvvarm; 
 but this is deceitful. It indeed may denote 
 that there are bees enough to compofe a 
 fwarm .; but it is alfo a token that there is no 
 princefs to go with them ; for, in want of 
 room, they often continue cluttered feveral 
 weeks. 
 
 It muft be confidered, that when the combs 
 of a hive are full of honey and brood, the 
 fpaces left between, being only half an inch 
 in width each, contain only a third part of 
 the capacity of the whole hive— about four- 
 teen thoufand to a half bufhel — and confe- 
 quently become foon overcharged by a for- 
 ward queen, and the furplus is obliged to 
 lie out; which, in fact, they always do, in 
 fuch circumftances, and perhaps till the mid- 
 dle of Auguft in hot and dry feafons, when 
 but few bees can remain in the hive. 
 
 This cluttering is very prejudicial, not 
 only in the lofs of time, but alfo in what the 
 bees might have acquired by their labour 
 in that interval, ufually the molt productive 
 of any part of the feafon, when every bee 
 ought to be fully employed. Nor is this 
 all : the bees by this indulgence contract a 
 
 habit 
 
SWARMS. 8^ 
 
 habit of indolence not eaiily relinquifhed. 
 The example tempts others to be as idle as 
 themfelves, greatly obftrudting thofe that 
 work, in their progrefs. Some, indeed, will 
 be induftrious in fpite of their owner's inat- 
 tention, and proceed to build combs on the 
 outfide, or under the floor of the hive. 
 
 Although it is a certain fign, when bees 
 lie out from day to day, that there is no 
 princefs ready ; yet as there is no practical 
 means of knowing when there wil/ y a con- 
 ftant watching is neceffary. 
 
 Thefe difadvantages are admirably remedied 
 by Jiorifying. 
 
 But cottagers, who have not this con- 
 venience, may cut a door-way in the back 
 of an empty hive that already has one in 
 front. Set the empty hive with one of its 
 door-ways againft that of the flock, fixing 
 on a proper fupport, fo as to be on an exact 
 level with the flock. The vacancy left be- 
 tween the two hives fill up with a piece of 
 hay-band, &c. taking care, however, to leave 
 the paffage of the two dooivwaysym". The 
 be$s will then pafs through the empty hive 
 Q 3 to 
 
86 SWARMS. 
 
 to the full one, till more room Is wanted, and 
 then they will begin in the additional one. 
 
 To separate them when full, at night 
 gently take away the hay-band j have a lump 
 of clay or cow-dung of a proper confidence 
 ready ; nimbly force that between the two 
 hives fo effectually that it may flop both 
 doors ; take away the foremofl, and place 
 another empty one in its flead the next night, 
 About an hour after taking up the firft, you 
 may venture to open the door of the flock 
 with the end of a long flick, and in the 
 morning entirely clear the dung away. 
 
 Under this management the bees will 
 conftantly be employed, nor can they pof- 
 fibly be prejudicial to the owners, though 
 thereby the flocks mould not fwarm, for 
 doubling does not prevent it. 
 
 The profit on bees depends, in a great 
 meafure, on the detention of the fwarms. If 
 they are lost, the increafe of honey can. 
 be but trifling, however carefully all other 
 particulars are obferved. A cafuai ' infpeftion 
 will not anfwer this important purpofe. I 
 have not feen or heard! of any apiators (my- 
 
 felf 
 
SWARMS. 87 
 
 felf not excepted) who through neglect in 
 this point have not loft, more or lefs, fwarms 
 every year, and chiefly prime ones; for bees 
 often fwarm without a minute's notice, per- 
 haps the very inftant after being left. There 
 is no fure way of fecuring fwarms but by a 
 constant watching of a bee-herd, re- 
 tained on purpofe, from feven or eight in the 
 morning until three or four in the afternoon, 
 till all the prime fwarms have iifued. Bad 
 weather may be excepted. 
 
 Children, or rather aged people, might be 
 employed to do it at an eafy rate; and if it 
 fhould coft feven or eight {hillings, it is bet- 
 ter to be at that charge, than run the great 
 rifque of lofing feveral of the beji fwarms* 
 You alfo efcape the anxiety and trouble of 
 going conftantly to and fro, which is after 
 all attended with uncertainty. Befides, 
 if a perfon keeps but fix ftocks, and faves 
 only one fwarm, he will be no lofer; to 
 which add, the afhflance given to an indi- 
 gent family by the money expended. The 
 ufual hours of fwarming are from ten to 
 two ; but this is not to be depended on. 1 
 G 4 have 
 
8$ SWARMS. 
 
 have often known, and had them rife as early 
 or late as the hours ftated. 
 
 Another caufe of the lofs of prime fwarms, 
 is the mifiaken notion that bees always (hew 
 certain Jigns or tokens of their going to 
 fwarm; and therefore until thofe figns ap- 
 pear, watching is omitted. But it mud be evU 
 dent to every reflecting apiator, that fwarms 
 frequently rife early in the fpring, as well as at 
 Other times, without mewing any fuch figns 
 at all. On the contrary, in fome feafons 
 the hive may be fo very full of bees as 
 largely to clufter out, and make an aftonifh^ 
 ing noife within, as though that moment 
 they would rife, and yet very often do not ; 
 no, not fovfevsral days or weeks afterwards, 
 and fometimes not at all, Thefe tokens, 
 indeed, clearly fhew there are bees fufficient 
 in number for a fwarm, and they are moft 
 anxious to do fo; but it alfo fhews they 
 cannot break nature's law: NO queen nq 
 swarm. 
 
 Although there are no figns that precede 
 
 jirji fwarms; offecond, or cap, or after ones 
 
 there are ? viz. peculiar sounds or notes 
 
 in 
 
swarms. tg 
 
 in the hive not heard at any other feafon. 
 They may be heard generally in the even- 
 ing in fine weather, and fovr ^times for fe- 
 veral days together ; being probably expref- 
 five of the princefres' being ready, and de« 
 firous of enjoying empires of their own; 
 for feveral are afterwards heard at a time, in 
 a kind of refponfe either more acute or 
 grave, but very different from any founds 
 made by their wings, and feeming to be 
 formed by a tube, refembling the expref- 
 fions of toot, toot, toot, or nearly that of a 
 child's penny trumpet, but not near fo loud. 
 Many chimerical conjectures have been 
 formed relative to this particularity ; but 
 one certain meaning they convey to the api- 
 ator, that when heard he may be aflured 
 that the jfirft, or prime fwarm> has efcaped^ if 
 that will comfort him. 
 
 It indicates alfo, that a fwarm may be 
 expected very loon, perhaps the next day, 
 or in a few following ones, according to the 
 finenefs of the weather. 
 
 When the number of prince fes is, too many 
 to be fupplied with bees for fwarms, it in- 
 duces 
 
GO SWARMS. 
 
 duces three or more to iflue with a fingfe 
 fwarm, and either fettle together, or divide 
 into different clufters; well knowing that 
 death will be the fate of thofe that tarry 
 behind. Sometimes, indeed, a princefs 
 will coax 2ifew bees to accompany her, and 
 form a fmall caft, of no profit, but which 
 rather contributes to inipoverifh the flock. 
 
 Second swarms are feldom worth pre- 
 hiYing Jingle ; but by uniting two or three, 
 you may form a good flock. 
 
 If a fwarm is wanted from a duplet ', both 
 doors muft be left open ; but if none fhould 
 rife, the flock at feparation moil likely will 
 have a queen in each. 
 
 It is very probable that a princefs may 
 fometimes rife unimpregnated, or not ripe 
 for laying, and which the bees at their exit 
 with her were not feniible of: but when 
 hived, finding their miflake, they abandon 
 her and the hive, and return home again. 
 
 On the rifing of fwarms, many bees juft 
 returned from the fields with their loads, 
 and many jufl entering, join them; by 
 which means they are capable of conftrutl- 
 
 7 
 
SWARMS. ^t 
 
 ing combs prefently after fettling ; and fome* 
 times do on the branch of a tree, if they are 
 fuffered to remain there a confiderable time. 
 When bees play idly about the door or 
 hive, and are more than ordinarily mi£r 
 chievous, it is a fign they are anxious to 
 fwarm ; and probably may rife, though 
 without a princefs, if it is late in the feafon, 
 but will return home again. 
 
 If the wind be brifk at the time of a 
 fwarm's riling, it will fly in the fame direc- 
 tion, and will fettle in that fpot which will 
 beft fhelter them from the inconveniency, 
 regardlefs of their accujlomed place of cluf- 
 tering. 
 
 As none but good fwarms at any time 
 ought to be kept, it will be neceflary to 
 afcertain how fuch may be known. It 
 fhould be in bulk, when hived, not lefs than 
 a p£ck and a half ; in middling fituations 
 they run more. I have had them in Hert- 
 fordihire frequently half a bufhel, fome- 
 times larger. 
 
 Near Pembroke they feldom exceed a- 
 peck ? which is here efleemed a good fwarm. 
 
 How- 
 
9 2 
 
 SWARMS. 
 
 However, not lefs than a peck will prove a 
 productive one. 
 
 A fwarm will appear much larger as it 
 hangs on a bufh, than when chiftered in the 
 top of a hive. 
 
 The number, weight, and meafure of bees, 
 lb. oz. dr. 
 
 loo drones ...... o i 
 
 290 workers o t 
 
 4,640 1 o 
 
 9 J S o 3 
 
 1,830 — , a pint . . o 6 
 
 3>66o ■ " ■ ■ ■ a quart .0 12 10 
 
 29,280 a peck . . 6 5 6 „ 
 
 °1 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 2 
 5 
 
 AVOIRD. 
 WEIGHT. 
 
 WINCHESTER 
 MEASURE. 
 
 This flatement is made on an average ; 
 for they will not prove twice exactly alike, 
 becaufe of their different degrees of ful- 
 nefs, &c. 
 
 .CHAP. 
 
HIVING* 9| 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 THE HIVING OF SWARMS. 
 
 XjlS fwarms (pi. 2, fig. 2.) frequently vlte 
 when not expected, and that with precipl« 
 tation, common prudence, it might be 
 thought, would induce apiators to have 
 hives in readinefs. But I have often feem 
 the contrary, though the expence of the 
 hives would be lefs, when bought early, and 
 you would alfo avoid the rifk of lofing a 
 fwarm while feeking a hive. 
 
 The poverty of cottagers may be an ex- 
 cufe for fuch fupinenefs. Therefore in fuch. 
 an exigency the fwarm may be put in a pail, 
 bucket, baiket, &c. in which let it remain 
 till the evening; when turning the velTel up, 
 lay two flat fticks acrofs it, place on it an 
 empty hive, bind a cloth round the junc- 
 ture (all but the door- way), and by the 
 morning the bees will have afcended thereT 
 in; but if not, gently beating the fides of 
 the vefTel will caufe them to afcend. 
 
 To 
 
94 HIVING. 
 
 To prepare hives for the reception of 
 fwarms, the fnags, or the roughnefs of the 
 flraw, mould be clipped off, and rubbed as 
 fmooth as can well be, as this will fave the 
 bees a deal of labour, which they will em- 
 ploy to greater advantage in conftru&ing of 
 combs. 
 
 Boxes mould have all holes and crevices 
 flopped with putty, or other cement, which 
 otherwife the bees mufl do, to exclude air 
 and vermin. 
 
 Spleets, or flicks, are proper to fupport 
 the combs, when extended near the bottom ; 
 but two only are neceffary, and placed 
 thus +, at the height of the fecond round 
 of flraw from the bottom; one from the 
 front to the back^ the other acrofs that > from 
 right to left : for as the combs are nfually 
 built in parallel lines from front to back, 
 each comb, when wrought down, being of 
 confiderable weight, it will have a ready 
 fupport from the fpleet, and which will 
 ferve to faften them alio ; but till they be- 
 come weighty, no fattening but that which 
 the bees themfelves execute, will at all be 
 needful. 
 
 But 
 
hiving. 95 
 
 But as fometimes the combs are conftrucl> 
 ed obliquely, or tranfverfely, a fecond fpleet 
 is necelTary to take them in that direction. 
 In fact, common hives, having no occalion for 
 removes till they are taken up, need no fpleets^ 
 as verified by bees in hollow trees, &cc. 
 However, the two mentioned are enough for 
 any hive, even in the ftory method : mud* 
 lefs have they occafion for any fpleet near 
 the top, and which is generally fo prepof- 
 teroufly placed as to be very troublefome 
 and prejudicial to the honey, in taking the 
 combs out. 
 
 No other preparation or drejjlng of hives 
 is neceflary, than that which I have men- 
 tioned. The employing herbs, and many 
 other fanciful articles, is of no ufe; but as 
 people are wedded to old cuftoms without 
 rational foundation, fugared or honeyed ale, 
 fprinkled in the top of the hive, is the moft 
 alluring fubftance that I know of. The 
 truth is, when a fwarm quits a clean hive, 
 it is for other caufes, and not through diftafte 
 of the hive, unlefs it is too fmall. 
 
 It is cuftomary to make a tinklinq 
 noise to allure fwarms to fettle. Why 
 
 it 
 
96 HIVING* 
 
 it does fo is uncertain, but that it does is ai 
 certain. Mod prime fwarms, that are not 
 in a habit of fettling in an ufual fpot, are 
 moftly loft, if not tinkled* 
 
 Befides which, it afcertains the right that 
 the apiator who follows it, has to claim it* 
 if ftrayed from his own premifes. The 
 greater the noife, the fooner it is likely to 
 fucceed. I find a watch rattle (ufed 
 about London) the moft efficacious, and 
 that when the common method has failed. 
 
 In prime or firft fwarms, the noife mould 
 not begin till fuch a quantity of bees have 
 arifen as will form a good fwarm, for fear of 
 terrifying the princefs from ifluing; and if 
 fo, all the bees will return, though hived* 
 A fudden ftorm, dark clouds, or thunder, 
 will caufe them to return, if not fettled ; or 
 if the princefs, too weak to fuftain the 
 flight, drops on the ground ; or if the bees 
 are roughly treated in the hiving. 
 
 The noife flv.-uld be made on the contrary 
 fide to that which will be mofl: proper for 
 fettling. Nor mould it continue longer than 
 the bees begin to clufter : there is no danger 
 but the reft will follow on hearing their 
 
 buz. 
 
HIVING, 97 
 
 buz. "When they rife in windy weather 
 they are very irritable, and apt to fling; and 
 though cluftered, often return home. 
 
 When a prime fwarm is broke or divided, 
 the fecond, will be much fuperior; and there- 
 fore, if it is in good time, may be kept, if a 
 flock is wanted. 
 
 When bees are hived, but feem difcon- 
 tented and tumultuous^ it is a fign they have 
 no queen among them. Probably me will 
 be found on the ground, with a fmall clufter 
 furrounding her. Take the clufter up ? and 
 place it on the outfide of the hive which 
 has the fwarm, or near the door; it will 
 foon make them eafy, arid allure thofe on 
 the wing to join them alfo. 
 
 Hives fixed near the fpots where bees have 
 been ufed to fettle, and rubbed with fu- 
 gared ale, will fomeiimes decoy fwarms to 
 refide therein. But this mull not be relied 
 on ; for it often happens that bees previ- 
 oufly choofe a place^ that they have made 
 clean for their reception^ and to which j on 
 riling, they immediately repair. But a hive 
 of old combs will certainty allure fome oi 
 H your 
 
98 HIVING. 
 
 your own fwarms to fettle therein, if not of 
 fome ftrayed ones. 
 
 If a fwarm is too large to be contained in 
 a hive, immediately double it ; but if it is a 
 common hive turn it upfide down in a buc- 
 ket, &c. and lay two flat flicks acrofs, and 
 fet another hive over it; then take them 
 from the bucket, and £tt them on four or 
 five rounds of an old flraw hive doubled, 
 as they are, and in the evening place them 
 on their deftined ftation, flopping the join- 
 ing with clay, and allowing a proper door- 
 way. 
 
 When fwarms feem refflefs fome time 
 after hiving, as often happens from their hav- 
 ing two princeffes, and being undetermined 
 in their choice; take them to a dark apart- 
 ment,when the bees,,fuppofmg it near night, 
 will prefently elect the moll promifing 
 lady, and expel the other. 
 
 It is very likely that the old queen fome- 
 times accompanies the firft fwarm. The 
 reafon perhaps of there being no tootmg pre-' 
 ceding the jirji fwarms, is there being then 
 but one young queen qualified to lead them. 
 
 When 
 
HIVING. 99 
 
 When more royal cells than one are per- 
 ceived in a hive, the fupernumeraryones may 
 be taken out to make a fwarm, if wanted. 
 
 Bees, when fwarming, are generally very 
 peaceable, as being under many fears and 
 apprehenfions ; fo that they may be hived 
 with much eafe and little danger (unlefs the 
 wind is high), if they are treated with gen- 
 tlenefs. 
 
 If they feem inclined to rove beyond the 
 proper bounds^ handfuls of fand, dirt, or the 
 like, fhould be thrown up among them I 
 water alfo caft among them will induce a 
 fpeedy cluftering. The fame means fhould 
 be ufed when two fwarm s rife together, and 
 fight in the ain A great noife fhould be 
 made, efpecially that of a gun, to intimidate 
 therm 
 
 If feveral princesses rife with one 
 fwarm, when hived together, great commo- 
 tions enfue, until one of the princeffes is 
 caft out or killed. 
 
 But when they cannot decide in their 
 choice, they fly out, and continue the con- 
 tend; or, which is moft frequently the cafe, 
 different parties clufter with the lady they 
 H 2 approve, 
 
10© HIVING. 
 
 approve, and fettle feparately. Let tfrem 
 alone till they are feverally fettled, hive 
 each parcel feparate, afterwards flrike them 
 out on a board one after the other, and take 
 the queens from each, all but the larger! 
 duller, to which put all the reft. Or other- 
 wife, at the clofe of the evening, fume them 
 all together y when the firft princefs that re- 
 covers will be acknowledged queen, and the 
 reft expelled or flain by the morning. 
 
 Stray swarms are often perceived fly- 
 ing in the air, and may be allured to fettle 
 (efpecially if tired with flight) by making 
 fome kind of tinkling with a knife upon a 
 fork, fhovel, or the like ; and when fettled, 
 may be brufhed into a hat, handkerchief, or 
 part of the garment, which being gathered 
 up by the corners, may fafely be carried 
 home, and laid on the ground, or table ; 
 laying a ftick acrofs ; and placing a hive 
 over them, they will affemble therein. 
 
 When a [warm fettles in several clus- 
 ters, hive only the largeft clu/ler, and re- 
 move it, a fmall diftance at a time, near to 
 the fmaller clufters, which are fuccemvely 
 to be fhook off the places of cluftering by a 
 9 long 
 
HIVING. IOI 
 
 long hooked flick, repeatedly, till the buz- 
 zing of thofe in the hive has attracted their 
 notice, and induced them to join. If the 
 clufters are equal in bulk, hive both fepa- 
 rately, and fet them at a fmall diftaoce from 
 each other; and if either of them have a 
 queen, and are dilTatistied. with her,, they 
 will quit the hive, and unite with the other; 
 but if both remain contented, unite them by 
 fuming. 
 
 Swarms fhould be hived as fopn as fet- 
 tled : for their cluttering is generally but of 
 fhort duration - 3 efpecially of prime fwarms, 
 or if they have previouily felected a place of 
 refidence. 
 
 When a fwarm attempts to fettle on a 
 perfon, ftanding or walking, &c. let him not 
 be alarmed, nor in any wife oppofe them, but 
 lift the hat a little above the head ; perhaps 
 they will fettle on that : if not, cover your 
 head and face with a handkerchief for them 
 to clufter on. But if, contrary- wife, they 
 begin to clufter on the moulders, or under 
 the handkerchief, fling it off, and fpread your 
 hands over the eyes and face, and thus re- 
 H 3 main 
 
JOS HIVING, 
 
 main entirely pqjfive, till the whole have fixed, 
 which, if this is punctually obferved, will be 
 done without a fmgle fting. Then retreat 
 with leifure to fome room in a houfe, 
 made nearly dark, and then a perfon mull 
 hold a hive, pan, lieve, &c. (fprinkled with 
 fugared ale) over the clufter, with the edge 
 juft touching it, which will, after a little 
 while, induce them to afcend into it. Blow- 
 ing with bellows will caufe them to dp it the 
 fooner, without irritating their propenfity 
 to fting. But if any violent or ofFenfive 
 means are ufed, it will provoke their revenge 
 fo as to be dangerous. 
 
 When a fwarm is cluttering, and ANQ- 
 ther is rifmg and endeavours to join it, 
 cover the firft with a thin cloth, and throw 
 duft, or water, among the others, to caufe 
 them to fettle elfe where. As like wife if 
 a. fwarm that is rife?; attempts to fettle on a 
 itock hive, flop the door, and cover the hive 
 with a cloth. Sprinkle an empty hive with 
 fugared ale, and place it a little raifed over 
 the top of the ftock, and the fwarm will 
 enter therein, If the fwarm feems too large 
 
 tQ 
 
HIVING. 10J 
 
 to be contained in the hive, fet another upon 
 the firfl. As foon as the bees have entered, 
 take it away, and unflop the flock. 
 
 Or it may be done by flopping the door 
 of the flock, and immediately removing it 
 to fome diflance. In the interim an affiftant 
 is to pjace an empty hive in its place, to 
 which the fwarm will enter ; and then it is 
 to be taken to an appropriate fland, and 
 the flock brought back to its former fitu- 
 ation. 
 
 Swarms will fometimes cinder on, or 
 enter, improper places, as under roofs, or other 
 buildings. Immediately a hive is to be placed 
 clofe by, or jufl about the hole of their en* 
 trance : encompafs the hive and bees with a 
 cloth, and it is very likely after a little time they 
 will give the preference to the hive. If not, put 
 a piece of paper with holes made in it over 
 the bowl of a pipe of tobacco ; apply the end 
 to a fmall hole made juft under where the 
 bees entered ; take the empty hive away 9 
 and then blowing forcibly, the fmoke will 
 generally induce them to fly out, and caufe 
 them to fettle in a more convenient firuation 
 
 for hiving. 
 
 Ha To 
 
I04 HIVING. • 
 
 To avoid repetitions, I would obferve,, 
 that the general rule in conducting ope- 
 rations about bees is, that they be executed 
 without noife or talking in approaching 
 the hives, till the doors are fecwed\ other- 
 wife the bees will be alarmed, and guard 
 the doors immediately. A leiiurely and 
 calm deportment, with gentlenefs yet bold- 
 nefs, and giving the leaft difturhance, will 
 greatly conduce to render the bufinefs eafy 
 and fafe. 
 
 In hiving take care that none are criifhed y 
 as that provokes the others to revenge ; and 
 not only fo, but it may chance to be the 
 queen, to the ruin of the fwarm. Forbear 
 the uie of weeds, or throwing water on 
 them, when cindering, or brufhing them off, 
 which they will highly refent ; and it may 
 make them fly quite away. Gently cut 
 away all fpray twigs, or branches, that may 
 obftrucl: the placing the hive under the 
 clufter. Always fpread a cloth on the 
 grotmd, with two fmall wedges on it, as 
 near die clufter as may be : the wedges are 
 to keep the edges of the front of the hive a 
 little railed, for the more ready entrance of 
 
 the 
 
HIVING. I05 
 
 the bees underneath ; as alfo to prevent in-* 
 juring any of them. 
 
 It may be remarked that fwarms often 
 fettle without a queen ; which, therefore, 
 proves, that it is not the queen that leads 
 and begins the clufter. Moll likely thofe 
 that are mod inclined fettle firft, and the 
 reft naturally follow ; as fheep through a 
 hedge. 
 
 Instruments neceflary for hiving are, 
 an empty box or fizye, a hive floor, or loofe 
 board, a large cloth, two fmall wedges, and 
 a long fork, or crook-flick. 
 
 To hive bees, let the apiator take the 
 hive inverted, and leifurely introduce the 
 hive under the clufter as conveniently as 
 can be without diilurbing the bees; then 
 with the left hand give the bough two or 
 three fmart fhakes, which will caufe the 
 greater part of the clufter to fail into the 
 hive : nimbly take ,it away, and turn it on 
 one edge on the floor, and the other on the 
 wedges ; draw the cloth up over the hive, 
 leaving the raifed part open. The bees, as 
 may be expected, will be in great confuiion, 
 and make a great buz, but will immediately 
 
 begin 
 
loG HIVING. 
 
 begin to afcend : the bough, or bum, &c. 
 muft continually be fhook by the long flick, 
 whilft any bees endeavour to relodge on 
 it : thofe on the wing, hearing the buz of 
 their companions in the hive, will gradually 
 fly down and join them. Let them remain 
 on the fpot till the evening, unlefs the fun 
 fhould be too violent ; and then the heat 
 would make them quit the hive, unlefs fhel- 
 tered by boughs, or the like. But if it mould 
 be inconvenient for the hive to remain, they 
 may be removed a little way off. As foon as 
 the bees are nearly retired into the hive, the 
 hive may be carried to its deftined ftand ; the 
 few bees that remain on the wing will re- 
 turn home. 
 
 Whenever bees are fo cluftered that a hive 
 cannot be put under them, lay a cloth un- 
 der, or as near as circumftances will allow ; 
 fhake the bufh, &c. to make the bees 
 fall, and keep fo doing till the bees relin- 
 quilh it : when down on the cloth, or 
 ground, fet a hive over them, and they will 
 enter. 
 
 Or, fhould a fwarm fettle on a hedge, &c. 
 tjiat a hive cannot be fet under them, it may 
 
 be 
 
HIVING. I07 
 
 be placed over them : this do by forked- 
 ftakes, or cords ; and by flinging a cloth over 
 the bees and empty hive, they will in 
 fome hours afcend. But for fear of mif- 
 chance, they mould be watched. Or if they 
 are found not to afcend, fet the hive three 
 parts over a floor, then with a Jpoon very 
 tenderly take up fome of the bees, and turn 
 them out on the floor, within, or near the 
 door of the hive (its edge being raifed by a 
 wedge) : repeat it as long as the bees will 
 permit without mowing much refentment: 
 the buz of thofe already entered (the larger 
 the number the better) will the fooner al- 
 lure the others to do fo. But if the bees are 
 fractious at firft, introduce only a fpoonfui 
 or two at a time \ and in the intervals retire 
 out of fight. 
 
 Or to prevent a fwarm from clustering 
 inconveniently in a hedge or bulb, 
 immediately lay a handkerchief or hat on 
 the bufh : probably they may fettle on that, 
 and may afterwards be laid on the ground ; 
 and a hive being placed over, they will moft 
 Jikely embrace the offer. 
 
 Bees cluttering round the body of a 
 
 TREE S 
 
I08 HIVING, 
 
 TREE, OR post, are difficult to hive. Take a 
 hive and fioor, or board, and place it by means 
 of forked flicks, barrels, ladders, &c. or with 
 cords, ip that the floor may be on a level 
 with the bottom of the clufter : then raifmg 
 the edge of the hive next to the bees, by 
 wedges, gently advance the hive fo as 
 flightly to touch the clufter : this in a little 
 while may induce fome of the bees to enter, 
 and the reft to follow. But to fave time, 
 ufe the Jpoon, as before directed, to dimi- 
 nifh the clufter, and increafe the buzzing in 
 the hive : at times difturb the clufter, by 
 gently moving a fmall flick among the out- 
 ermoft, to difengage them. As foon as a 
 confiderable number have entered, the reft 
 will furely follow; though, perhaps, but 
 flowly ; unlefs the queen has been one of 
 thofe conveyed by the fpoon. 
 
 Should fwarms fix on the extreme 
 branches or twigs of high trees, beyond 
 the reach of the hand, a hive, or rather a 
 light bafket, muft be fufpended to the end 
 of a long pole or fork. Then having a lad- 
 der, introduce the bafket under the clufter, 
 while an affiftant with a long crook fmartly 
 
 fhakes 
 
Hiving. 109 
 
 fhakes the bough, by which a great part of 
 the bees will fall into it. It muft then 
 fpeedily be brought down, and turned up- 
 lide down on a cloth ready fpread, on which 
 many bees already fallen will be fettled. In 
 the mean while the branches muft be con- 
 ftantly fhook, by which the bees, finding no 
 quiet there, and hearing the buz of thofe un- 
 derneath, will defcend and join them. 
 
 Or, another method is to tie twigs to the 
 end of a long pole, and therewith difturb the 
 clufter till they take wing again ; when pro- 
 bably they will clufter in another fituation 
 more favourable, if treated with the ufual 
 mufic. 
 
 A third means is to hold a pan of fmok- 
 ing fubftances, which may make them glad 
 to move their quarters. 
 
 When fwarms fettle oiilarge branches 
 of trees, too ftubborn to fhake, a hive is 
 to be fet on a floor, and faftened with 
 cords, that the floor may touch the clufter. 
 Then treat them as before mentioned. 
 
 A fwarm in a hollow tree that has not 
 been lodged therein more than two or three 
 days, may be difplaced, by carefully flop- 
 ping 
 
ttO HIVING. 
 
 ping all the holes, and crevices, except (ha! 
 which they entered by ; then fixing the bot- 
 tom of a hive againft their hole of entrance, 
 fecuring it firmly with cordsj as alfo tying 
 a cloth round the joinings* that no bees can 
 efcape ; beat with a large hammer, or great 
 ftone, violently about the tree juft below the 
 hive : probably this will terrify the bees, fa 
 as to induce them to feek fecurity in the 
 hive. Now and then ceafe thenoife, and liften 
 whether they make a buz in the hive ; and 
 repeat the hammering Until the buz is 
 greatly increafed* Then, loofing the hive 
 from the tree, fet it on a cloth fpread on the 
 ground, and repeat the ftrokes and noife on 
 the tree till but few bees rife. Stop the hole 
 of the tree, and thofe on the wing will re- 
 join their companions. 
 
 But if they will not take to the hive> make 
 a hole with a chiffel, near the upper part ot 
 the hollow (for the bees generally lie as 
 high as pomble above the entrance) : place 
 the hive juft above the hole cut, and by 
 hammering it will caufe them to fly furioufly 
 out, and take to the hive, or fettle in a more 
 commodious fituation. But if they fhould 
 
 have 
 
hiving, lit 
 
 have fettled below the paflage hole, make 
 the large hole below the clufter, as near as 
 can be judged, by ftriking where the buz 
 may direct. 
 
 If thefe methods prove unfuccefsful, re- 
 courfe muft be had to fmoking rags, damp 
 ilraw, or cow dung, put into the hole, if it 
 be made large enough ; and at the fame 
 inftant hammering under their lodgement, 
 or teafing them by thrufting twigs up till 
 they fly out. Perhaps (for I have had no 
 opportunity of trying) if an opening could 
 be made large enough to receive a pot of 
 fuming puffs under them, for about twenty 
 minutes ; by confining the fmoke, pro- 
 bably the bees might be fo ftupefted as to fall 
 to the bottom, and might carefully be taken 
 out, by a ladle, or fpoon, and put into a 
 hive, and immediately carried away, and 
 placed in a dark room or out-houfe till the 
 morning. The chafms of the tree fhould 
 be all flopped to prevent the bees from re- 
 turning to their former lodge, The longer 
 bees have fettled in any place, the lefs dif- 
 pofed they will be to quit it ; efpecially if 
 they have made combs, and have brood 
 
 therein, 
 
*I2 HIVING. 
 
 therein. They will fooner die than quit Ih 
 In fuch a cafe it is better to let them remain 
 till autumn ; and then fuffocate the bees 
 and take their treaiure. 
 
 Bees in the holes of walls may be treated 
 after a firnilar methods 
 
 But when bees have fettled under the 
 roofs or vacant parts of buildings^ wdiere 
 fparks of fire might be dangerous, fuming 
 muftbe avoided; and inftead thereof water 
 muff be conveyed over the bees, by the rofe 
 of a watering pot, funnel, or pipe, taking 
 fome tiles off, or boards down, to come at 
 them ; which will often fucceed as well. 
 
 Where windows have been left open, 
 fwarms fometimes affume the liberty of 
 taking poiTeffion. To fecure them, firft fhut 
 the window and door ; then holding a hive 
 under the clufter, draw a wire or thin ftick 
 gradually between them and the cieling, or' 
 part to which they are attached : this will 
 caufe the bees to fall into the hive ; which 
 being let on the floor, the flraggkrs will 
 foon hear the buz of the others, arrd rejoin 
 them, and the fooner if the room is made 
 nearly dark. 
 
 All 
 
HIVING. 113 
 
 All fwarms, if the weather is fine* will be- 
 gin to work as foon as hived ; but if the 
 two firft days prove foulj it difcourages 
 them from labouring for feveral days, even 
 if then it mould be fine. But in a Long 
 continuance of bad weather, they will peri/h > 
 urilefs relieved by a timely feeding. 
 
 The foregoing directions $ it is prefumed, 
 will be fully applicable to all other cafes 
 that may arifc, though attended with fome 
 ■variation.' 
 
 CHAP 
 
114 ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 ARTIFICIAL SWARMING, 
 
 AM forry to declare, that I have met 
 with no invention, among the many that have 
 been published, or among the great num- 
 ber of my own deviling, for artificial fwarm- 
 ing, adapted to common USE, or that 
 has been in general fuceefsful. From fo great 
 a difappointment, I am inclined to draw a 
 conclufion, that as nature has implanted in 
 bees a ftrong propenfity to fwarm, as a 
 quality neceffarily connected with the man- 
 ner and feafon ; all our attempts, by force 
 or allurements , to effsdt or prevent it, with a 
 tolerable degree of timely advantage, mull 
 prove ineffectual. I propofe the two fol- 
 lowing methods, however ; as, if not fuceefs- 
 ful, they will not be prejudicial to the ftocks, 
 may amufe the curious, and be accompliihed 
 without much trouble. But they are map* 
 plicable to general pra&ice. 
 
 By 
 
ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 1 15 
 
 By often looking through the windows of 
 floried boxes, in the f Warming feafon, some- 
 times a queen may be feen in one of the 
 boxes. Immediately fhove a divider between 
 the two boxes. Leave them about an hour ; 
 when if the bees of both boxes remain quiet, 
 wait fome time longer, and then repeat the 
 infpection, by intervals, two or three times, 
 till the approach of night ; and if they are 
 llill in a quiet ftate, introduce the other di- 
 vider, and take the duplet to a diftant Na- 
 tion. On the contrary, if the bees of either 
 box have fhowed figns of difcontent, it is a 
 token there is no queen in that which fhows 
 uneafinefs ; and therefore the divider mud 
 be withdrawn, till another favourable op- 
 portunity offers. 
 
 The second method is : In the fwarm* 
 ing feafon, when the bees feem very nume- 
 rous, and mow indications of fwarming, 
 fhove a divider between a duplet in the 
 morning, having before opened both doors ; 
 and if the bees remain quiet and purfue their 
 ijv r ork, in both boxes, till the evenings pro- 
 ceed with them as above. But if the bees 
 I 2 of 
 
1 1 6 ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 
 
 of either box are confufed, take out the di- 
 vider, and try your fortune another time* 
 
 An artificial fwarm may be made, by 
 purchafing one or more of fecond or third 
 fwarms of your neighbours, as they will be 
 of little value to them, and therefore may 
 be had cheap. Unite as many of them in one 
 hive,asarefufficienttoform a good fwarm, by 
 placing the fewefl in number to the moft po- 
 pulous ; fuming them firft to prevent quar- 
 relling. But if fuch mould happen, fumigate 
 the duplet. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
WILD BEES. 117 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 OF WILD BEES IN WOODS. 
 
 N February and March bees are very fre- 
 quently numerous, on fallows, ofiers, and 
 other plants that afford farina, in woods : 
 which is a fure token that their habitations 
 are not far diftant. They may be eafily 
 traced ; and having found them, mark the 
 place or tree. Aged people, or children, 
 may be fet to watch their fwarming, and 
 they may be hived in the ufual manner, 
 For whether in hollow trees, or any other 
 habitation, bees equally cad out fwarms, as 
 well as thofe in hives. Having fecured 
 and carried away the fwarms, in autumn re- 
 pair to the fame fpot, and take the fummer's 
 produce, as directed under hiving. 
 
 If this early attention has been neglected, 
 
 make obfervation in woods on thofe places 
 
 which are moft plentiful of bee-flowers ; or, 
 
 \n very dry weather, of watering places, to 
 
 I 3 which, 
 
I.lS WILD BEES. 
 
 which, in fuch feafons, they will be obliged 
 to refort. If their abode is too far to be 
 traced, diffolve fome red or yellow oker in 
 water, and, dipping fome fprigs therein, 
 fprinkle the bees therewith as they alight. 
 Being thus marked, they will be eafily dif- 
 tinguifhed. For, by obferving whether re- 
 turns are fooner or later, or whether in 
 greater or lefTer numbers, a tolerable guefs 
 may be made ; efpecially after a little prac- 
 tice. A perfon having a watch, may by it 
 more accurately determine this point. A 
 pocket compafs will alfo be greatly affiitingj 
 to certify their courfe, which is always in a, 
 direct line to their habitation in their return 
 home. 
 
 If this method proves not fuccefsful, take 
 a joint of a large reed, or of kex ; force a 
 part of the pith out at one end, and do the 
 like at the other, only leaving a finall parti- 
 tion between the two hollows; cutafmall flit 
 over one of the hollows, put fome honey made 
 a little damp with ale in the hollow, and flop 
 the end with a cork, or paper ; and if fire 
 can conveniently be had, melt fome wax on 
 the tube, the fmell of which will be wafted 
 
 by 
 
WILD BEES. ' 119 
 
 by the wind to a great diftance. Place this 
 joint near their haunts, and they will foon 
 be allured to enter into the hollow. When 
 about eight or ten have entered, flop the 
 end with the finger; foon after let one of 
 the bees out, purfue it as long as it is in 
 fight, and then let out another. If it con- 
 tinues the fame courfe, follow that alfo ; but 
 if any take a different route, let another fly, 
 and fo proceed till you find feveral take the 
 fame courfe, which will lead to their nefts. 
 
 The bees that purfue other directions 
 probably belong to other nefts, which may 
 be discovered by the fame procefs as the 
 
 If it be necefTary to take the combs out 
 directly, a pot of fumingpujfs fhould be in- 
 troduced under them by a hole made on pur- 
 pofe. During the fumigation forcibly ftrike 
 the tree. If the whole are not fallen from the 
 combs, they will, however, be fo lethargic 
 as to give the operator but little annoyance, 
 if he has on the bee-drefs. The combs are 
 to be taken out as whole as poffible, and 
 placed in an empty hive, and lupported by 
 as many fpleets as are neceflaryp in the beft 
 I 4 manner 
 
I2Q WILD BEES. 
 
 manner the nature of the cafe will admit o£ 
 The ftupefied bees which have fallen into 
 the cavity of the tree, may be taken out by 
 a fpoon or ladle, and put to the combs in 
 the hive ; which had beft be fet on a floor 
 before the combs are put in, and then the 
 bars and cover, and may be removed with- 
 out much trouble or difplacement. 
 
 If puffs are not in readinefs, the fmoke of 
 dried cow- dung, damp ftraw, &c. may be 
 ufed, which will be likely to force the bees 
 out ; when, fettling on fome tree, &c. 
 they may be hived, and, on being carried 
 home, may be fet over the hive of combs. 
 
 If the nefls are taken during the fwarm- 
 ing feafon, thole parts of the combs that have 
 honey in them may be cut out, taking 
 great care of thofe with brood, which, with 
 the empty ones, are to be placed in the hive, 
 as well as can be in the fame manner and 
 at the fame diftance as the bees do ; and 
 placing the bees in them, they will foon re- 
 pair the damage, and furnifh the hive 
 afrtih. 
 
 When the bees are efteemed not worth 
 preferving, rags dipped in melted brimftone, 
 
 and 
 
WILD BEEJS, I2| 
 
 Und put under their nefts, will immediately 
 fuffocate them. 
 
 Hives rubbed with honied ale, and fome 
 poured into an old comb, and put under 
 them, and placed on thofe fpots which bees 
 much frequent, will be likely to allure 
 {warms to fettle therein. 
 
 Having had no experience in what relates 
 tp this article, the above is given from re- 
 fpec~table authority. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
£22 JSALVATION OF BEEf.. 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 SALVATION OF BEES. , 
 
 ANY of my readers will be much 
 furprifed at the following declaration, viz. 
 That the suffocation of bees kept in 
 common hives is not prejudicial to the intereft 
 of the owners. This affertion, I beg leave 
 to ftate, relates only to thofe who keep bees 
 
 in SINGLE HIVES, WITHOUT STORIFYING. 
 
 Contrary to my former principles, preju- 
 dices, and practice, and to the current opi- 
 nion of writers, nothing lefs than a feries 
 of ftubborn facts could have effected my 
 convi&ion and recantation. 
 
 From theorelic ded actions, to fa.cts I ap- 
 peal; — to experiments, the juftnefs of which 
 the judicious apiator may be convinced of ? 
 by making proper obfervations. For thofe 
 who keep bees jn boxes, with large windows, 
 may perceive that in December and January 
 very few bees are to be feen in the boxes 
 that were crowded in Auguft. Thofe who 
 
 have 
 
SALVATION OF BEES. I2J 
 
 have ftraw hives may, at that time, fafely 
 turn them upon their edge, and have a tole- 
 rable view,* to anfwer the above purpofe. 
 The diminution is fo great, that the fulleft 
 hives or boxes are then reduced to about a 
 quart ! and this by the natural decreafe of 
 the aged bees. To certify this, I took the 
 bees from feveral hiv^s, and found them to 
 meafure as by the above ftatementj the 
 ■weaker flocks lefs in proportion. 
 
 This refill t proves, that all the advantage 
 obtained by faving the bees of stocks 
 taken, and uniting them to other flocks 
 (the only eligible means of faving), is ulti- 
 mately only the falvat'wn of a quart. And 
 as the queen muft be killed by the hand, or 
 by the flock bees to which they are to be 
 united, they cannot poffibly make any far- 
 ther increafe in the fpring. 
 
 The queflion is then reduced to this ifTue: 
 Whether the multitude of bees, united about 
 Auguft, will not confume (though gradually 
 diminifhing) more honey before the fpring 
 gathering commences, than the quart left, 
 will compenfate by their labour ? 
 
 Befides, 
 
124 SALVATION OF BEES. 
 
 Befides, it is to be confidered, that the 
 eggs produced by the old queen of the flock, 
 not being, more than ufual, want not an 
 linufual number of workers to rear them ; 
 a greater number may poilibly be ufelefs, 
 or prejudicial by the increafe of confump- 
 tkm. Nor do they contribute to the pro- 
 duction of more early fwarms ; for that 
 depends on the early birth of princeffes, 
 in which the additional bees have no 
 fhare. 
 
 The truth of the facl is further confirmed 
 by experiments on flocks that have the bees 
 of other hives united to them, but which 
 proved neither move forward nor more, pro- 
 ductive than fmgle ones hived in the com- 
 mon way, not only of my own, but of 
 neighbours. 
 
 On the contrary, storied flocks, in the 
 fame feafon, were abundantly more pro- 
 fperous, 'having provided themfelves with 
 means iufficienf for their own profperity, 
 in a fucceffion of peace and plenty, and 
 without the cruel nccejjiiy pr trouble of ' fuffo- 
 c at ion by fjre and brimftone. 
 
 From 
 
SALVATION OF BEES. I25 
 
 From this declaration it by no means fol- 
 lows, that the old practice of fuffocation can 
 be juftified ; but muft be condemned as im- 
 politic, and highly difadvantageous ; for they 
 muji be very weak who purfue a plan of con- 
 duel of f mall profit % when a better is offered of 
 double or treble advantage* 
 
 CHAP. 
 
li6 GLASSES.- 
 
 CHAP. XVL 
 
 &EE GLASSES. 
 
 ^jn - . . 
 
 I HE mod convenient fhape to Cet over 
 bees, fhould be fimilar to thofe of pi. 2. 
 fig. i ; that is, perpendicular to the circular 
 top, or flraiglit dome* 
 
 Four are defigned for a box, one at eacK 
 Corner ; and one in the middle which is to 
 hold two quarts ; the others, only one quart 
 each. 
 
 That of the centre fhould be in two parts; 
 the lower part to be open at both ends; the 
 upper divifion of the glafs to be circular at 
 top. There muft be a thin circular piece 
 of wood, of proper dimenfions, to lay over 
 the top of the under glafs, to fupport it 
 when fet over, and in it three apertures, 
 cut out from the middle, by which the bees 
 are to afcend into the upper half of the 
 glafs. 
 
 It will be neceffary to have an adapter 
 
 or board of the fize of the top of the box, 
 
 on which the glaffes are to be fet. Apertures 
 
 5 are 
 
GLASSES. I27 
 
 ate to be made in it, to correfpond with 
 thofe on the hive-top* but to be limited in 
 length, and not to exceed the width of the 
 glaffes, as pi. 2. fig. 3. 
 
 Inftead of flicks to fupport the empty 
 combs, stages feem preferable. Three flips 
 of wood, an inch and a half wide, and of 
 a length to fuit the bottom of the glaffes J 
 fmall holes are to be made near their edges, 
 to receive long pegs, or flight flicks* about 
 three or four inches long, and thus form 
 Pages wherein to fix the empty combs. 
 The bottom edges, and ends of the ftages 
 muft be round, or bevelled off, and the ends 
 of the pegs are to be cut fmooth with the 
 furface, to prevent any impediment to the 
 entrance of the divider. The fmall glaffes 
 require two fuch ftages ; the larger central, 
 three, in each divifion ; and to be placed fo 
 as not to obftruct the apertures of the box 
 by which the bees muff afcend into the 
 glaffes. . 
 
 OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 When the glaffes are filled with combs, 
 the edges are to be cut through with a thin 
 
 knife, 
 
J2§ CLASSES* 
 
 knife, clofe to the glafs; and a ftifFwire, ben^ 
 like an L, with its ihort end made flat and 
 Iharp, is to be introduced between the con<bs* 
 Give it a twill, to turn the flat end, fo 
 as to feparate the upper part of the combs 
 from the top of the'glafs. The glafs of two 
 parts is intended for the eonveniency of 
 taking the upper part off when full, and to 
 be fucceeded by placing another. All 
 glafTes are difficult to crawl up by the bees* 
 occafioning extraordinary labour. In imall 
 glaffes efpecially, the crowds entering" 
 with their load, after much ftruggling 
 find it not wanted there, nor perhaps in 
 feveral others y and after all this toil are ob- 
 liged to defcend with it into the hive. For 
 this reafon ? I haveadvifed none under a quart. 
 But to thofe who are .not anxious about 
 quantity, fmall glafTes to their Own tafte will 
 be more pkafingV The greater the number 
 of glafTes, or their magnitude, the greater 
 fhould be the proportion of bees to fill them; 
 or the box will contain mpffcly brood, and 
 very little honey. An addition of a good 
 fwarm or two is,, in that cafe, neceffary. 
 Thofe who have large globular glaffes may 
 
 have 
 
qLASSEs. 129 
 
 nave them cut in two (by the glafs- cutters), 
 and have a divifion board adapted to the 
 under half, as directed for a central glafs. 
 
 It may be thought that, by the ufe of 
 glaffes, the queen might be often difcovered: 
 but the reverfe is true ; (he very feldom vi- 
 sits them, having no bufmefs there, brood 
 hardly ever being found therein. Once I 
 had fome in a large globular glafs, owing to 
 want of room in the box below. The drones 
 often afcend in the glaffes to repofe them- 
 felves. Glaffes do not prevent fwarming, 
 for I have had fwarms rife, even after they 
 were half filled. 
 
 MANAGEMENT. 
 
 To place glaffes over a box, fet them as 
 in pi. 2. fig. 1. properly upon the adapter; 
 Aide the divider under the cover of the box, 
 and fet the adapter and glaffes on the divider; 
 then holding it fleady with the left hand, 
 withdraw the divider by the right. Then 
 cover the whole with a dark-coloured cloth. 
 It is proper to omit infpecting them for 
 two or three days. Any chafms that may 
 K happen 
 
11,0 GLASSES. 
 
 happen by the glafTes not fitting clofe, or 
 by not being wide enough for the openings, 
 may be covered by flips of bohea tea-chefl 
 lead. 
 
 GJafTes may be fet on ftraw hives, by hav- 
 ing a circular adapter fet over, as before 
 mentioned ; only be careful that the glafTes 
 do not ftand too near the edges, fo as to 
 prevent the body of a ftraw hive from fur- 
 rounding them, or the ftraw cover from be- 
 ing laid over > y and which may be removed 
 at pleafure for infpecYion. 
 
 No glafTes ought to be fet over flocks, 
 until a duplet is about half full, left the 
 after-feafon mould prove unfavourable for 
 floring the boxes. No glafTes fhould be fet 
 over weak flocks. About the tenth of July 
 glafTes fhould be taken off; but if duplets 
 are Well furniihed, they may be fafely ad- 
 mitted fo long as the bees continue to place 
 honey therein. _ In cafe the bees of a duplet 
 . lie out, take the glaiTes off, and raife the 
 flock on a nadir. 
 
 In bad feafons, glafTes cannot be filled 
 without too much impoverifhing the flock ; 
 probably to their utter ruin. 
 
 4 In 
 
GLASSES. 131 
 
 la four or five days of bad weather, the 
 bees will feaft on the honey of the glaffes y 
 to prevent which, take them off. But they 
 muft not be put on again, on a favourable 
 change ; for they will take the reft of the 
 honey ; although, when done, they will re- 
 fill them. Therefore put on frefh glaffes, 
 with empty combs. 
 
 The glaffes fhould be taken off as faft as 
 filled, and replaced by empty ones, or the 
 openings covered with tea-chefi lead. 
 
 Two flips of double tin, each about half 
 an inch wider than the bottom of the largeft 
 glafs, are neceffary to take the glaffes off by. 
 Slide one under the glafs to be feparated, 
 and the other under the firfi; then with- 
 draw the upper tin, with the glafs there- 
 on, while the other is kept clofe and fteady 
 in its place, till an empty one is fet on. The 
 glafs taken off is 'to be conveyed to a dark- 
 ened room ; and turning it on its fide, to- 
 wards the light, the bees will fly directly 
 thereto, and foon quit the glafs. If they do 
 not, tapping on the fides with the hand, or 
 blowing with a pair of bellows, will make 
 them foon relinquifh it. Small glaffes are 
 K 2 to 
 
1*2 GLASSES. 
 
 to be taken off in the fame way; but by 
 taking them to three or four yards diftance, 
 and tapping with the fingers on their fides, 
 with the bottom upwards, and gradually 
 walking on, the bees will efcape without 
 anger or danger. Or they may be laid on 
 their fides on the ground, and the bees will 
 quit leifurely of themfelves. 
 
 fhefi operations will be rather an amufe* 
 merit, than acts attended with fear, when a 
 little practice has made them familiar. 
 
 Spare virgin combs fhould annually be 
 referred for decoys to the glaffes. They 
 fnould be kept in clofe boxes, or drawers, in 
 a dry room, wrapped in papers, that neither 
 dull nor the wax-moth may injure them. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
DEPRIVATION. 133 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 DEPRIVATION, OR THE TAKING UP OF HIVES 
 OF HONEY. 
 
 'EPRIVATION is either partial or ge- 
 neral r the partial is that of taking hives 
 or boxes as foon as they are judged to be 
 full. When a ftock has been fo profpe- 
 rous as to have the triplet full, it mull be 
 then taken off, and another triplet fet in its 
 place ; but the duplet rnufl remain, while 
 a continued feparation of triplets may be 
 made as often as they become filled. 
 
 To know when ftraw hives are nearly 
 filled, ftrike round the body, and if it 
 feel hollow, and a fm all buz be heard, it is 
 a fign of their not being near full ; but if it 
 feel folid, and dead to the ftrokes, and a 
 great buz of fome continuance follow, it in- 
 dicates its fulnefs. 
 
 Through the windows of boxes this may 
 be difcovered at fight. 
 
 Triplets are to be taken fo long as the 
 
 feafon and weather are favourable for pro- 
 
 K 3 ducing 
 
134 DEPRIVATION, 
 
 ducing honey ; otherwife the flock muft be 
 raifed on a nadir. Place the hive taken, a 
 considerable diftance from the flock ; and 
 if in two or three hours the bees remain 
 quiet, there is a prefumption of its having a 
 queen, or brood, and it muft be fet on again* 
 But when all the three hives appear crowd- 
 ed with bees, fo as to want more room, fet 
 the hive that was taken, with its door as near 
 as can be to the flock door, fo as not to ob- 
 ftrucl: it ; laying a flip of wood as a bridge 
 from one to the other : and place an empty 
 triplet on the flock. The hive being placed 
 thus near-to the flock, with its floor touch- 
 ing, will be efleemed flill as one family, and 
 the brood reared as fuch ; and in about three 
 weeks may be taken away. The brood in 
 that time will be matured, and the cells filled 
 with honey. 
 
 But in the interim, if an unufual crowd 
 or difturbance, or crumbs of wax, are feen 
 at the door, it is a token that the flock bees, 
 or fome others, have begun to pillage. Ob- 
 ferving this, take it dire&ly to a dark room ? 
 and cover it up for a few hours: if then the 
 bees are quietly eicaping, ht it remain till 
 
 morning. 
 
DEPRIVATION. I35 
 
 morning, and then fume if, whatever be the 
 flate of the bees. 
 
 But if, after the triplet has been taken, the 
 flock is in confufion, it is a fign that the 
 queen was therein (though this feldom hap- 
 pens), and it muft be replaced. This cau- 
 tion is particularly neceffary to be obferved, 
 in refpect of all hives when taken ; as fome- 
 time a young queen may refide in one hive, 
 and the old one in another ; or the old 
 queen may be in it herfelf. This is often 
 the cafe with duplets which have farina and 
 brood ; and that even though the upper 
 door had been timely fhut. Generally ^ when 
 a nadir is half full of combs, and the door of 
 the upper hive has been kept fhut, the queen 
 begins to lay her eggs in the nadir; there- 
 fore, in about three weeks after, the brood 
 in the fuperior hive will have been hatched, 
 and the cells filled with honey, and proper 
 for taking. No duplet is to be Separated 
 in autumn, unlefs the hive left, in all ap- 
 pearance, is quite full; then that which 
 feems moft likely not to have the queen may 
 be taken ; but if this cannot be determined, 
 it is moft eligible to let both fland. The bees 
 & 4 will 
 
136 DEPRIVATION. 
 
 will not be the worfe for having more food 
 than is neceflary (if kept warm in winter) 5 
 but may perifh by having too little, which, 
 may happen in a protra&ed bad fpring. 
 
 Bees will not quit a hive that has brood, 
 whether upper or under, without fuming or 
 driving. The following day after a hive 
 has been feparated, if farina has been car- 
 ried in, it fhews all is well ; but if -not, 
 return the hive that fails to the flock again. 
 
 When it happens that a feparated hive has 
 a queen, and is well ftored, it may be kept, if 
 fuch an increafe is wanted ; provided the 
 {lock left has alfo a queen. But if, unfor- 
 tunately, the ftock queen has been killed in 
 the operation, reftore the hive taken, to its 
 family. 
 
 The brood combs of hives taken, mould 
 be handled with great tendernefs and cir- 
 curafpec?iion, that none may be damaged or 
 crumed. Rather cut into the honey cells 
 than into the brood ; and let them be kept 
 Warm, until they are fet over a ftock. Place 
 ^ them in an empty hive reverfed, without 
 its cover ; the combs to be difpofed fo as 
 to touch each other as little as poffible, 
 
 by 
 
DEPRIVATION. 1§J 
 
 by placing flips of wood, half an inch in 
 thicknefs, between, to give fufEcient fpace 
 for the young to be excluded, and for the 
 paffage of the bees to nourifh. them. At 
 night fet thetn over the flock they came 
 from, or fome other that needs recruit- 
 ing. 
 
 Deprivation fhould always be done in the 
 evening, as foon as the bees are retired to 
 reft ; that there may be fufEcient light lei- 
 furely to perform the operation. 
 
 The GENERAL TIME OF DEPRIVATION, 
 
 or taking up of stocks, varies in dif- 
 ferent counties, according to their different 
 temperatures ; but about the latter end of 
 Auguit is the ufual feafon. 
 
 Bees kept in jingle hives ought to be taken 
 when honey-gathering begins to ceafe. This 
 may be known by a diminution of activity 
 in the bees (if not from bad weather) ; for, 
 when this happens, they begin to feed on 
 the hive honey, beginning with the un- 
 fealed or exterior cells firfr. Therefore, 
 the longer they are permitted to fraud, the 
 lefs honey there will be in the hive, when 
 taken ; and that in proportion to the num- 
 ber 
 
I38 DEPRIVATION. 
 
 ber of bees it contains ; which at that time 
 confume a great deal in a little time, and 
 confequently prove an abfolute lofs. This 
 is meant of ftocks taken the common way to 
 he dejlroyed. What hive honey they have 
 eaten can be of no profit, when the bees 
 themfelves are foon to be killed. 
 
 But this is not the cafe in the story 
 method, the bees of which are always 
 faved ; and therefore no difadvantage can 
 arife from their ftanding. For if a duplet 
 that has flood be taken after having eaten 
 a good part of the honey, it has faved a like 
 quantity of the flock's, which they would 
 have confumed, had they flaid on. 
 
 At the ufual feafon of deprivation there 
 is generally much brood, whofe preferva- 
 tion is of much importance : for, coming 
 into birth fo late in the feafon, they will 
 furvive through the next fummer, till the ho- 
 ney harveft terminates. 'This brood, thus pre- 
 ferred, is of more worth than twenty times the 
 number of promifcuous bees, taken from a flock, 
 and incorporated with another', even if the 
 ftock fhould profper, which is very doubt- 
 ful, as experience verifies. 
 
 1% 
 
DEPRIVATION. 139 
 
 It is furprifing, that the falvatlon of the 
 brood has never been noticed ; although 
 every one, on taking combs out at this fea- 
 fon, might have obferved brood therein, in 
 their feveral ftages of maggots, or nymphs, 
 and often of eggs. Regardlefs thereof, they 
 are mafhed indifcriminately with the honey- 
 combs ; thus greatly injuring its quality by 
 fuch ill-judged conduct. 
 
 In the Jiorled method^ inftead of the gene- 
 ral deprivation of duplets in Augujl^ I appre- 
 hend, for the reafons above affigned, it will 
 be eligible to defer it to the latter end of 
 September, or the beginning of Octo- 
 ber ; or till the weather is too cool for the 
 bees to work much out ; by which time all 
 or mod of the brood will have been ma- 
 tured, and have left their cells, without the 
 rifk of deftroying any of them : befides the 
 advantage of performing the operation with 
 more eafe, fafety, and fatisfa&ion ; as at 
 that time, from having neither brood nor 
 princefs, the bees will quit the duplet, when 
 feparated, in a 'few hours, of themfelves, 
 without fuming. 
 
 In wet and cold feafons, honey-gathering 
 
14° DEPRIVATION. 
 
 is very fcanty; a circumftance which leaves 
 numerous vacant cells for the rearing brood, 
 and thereby renders deprivation much later 
 than ufual. "For the hives may feel heavy, 
 but it will not be from honey, but moftly 
 from farina and brood (efpecially if the ftock 
 is of two years {landing) ; which may lead 
 the apiator into a fatal error, as thinking the 
 ftock rich, though in fact it may be very 
 poor, and die of famine in the fpring. Stocks 
 left double are not liable to this cafualty. 
 
 To JUDQE OF THE WEIGHT AND CON- 
 DITION of a ftock fit for ftanding, befides 
 the direction given before in this chapter, 
 lift the ftock a little up : if it feels of a due 
 weight, that is, about twenty pounds exclu- 
 live of the hive, it may be fafely concluded 
 as fit to keep. 
 
 It will be ufeful on feveral occafions to 
 number and weigh the hives and floors, be- 
 fore the bees are put in. By this means, 
 any evening, by flopping the hive door, 
 they may be readily weighed, without any 
 difturbance to the bees. 
 
 If any of the ftocks remain trebled till 
 Auguft, take away the moid empty ; for it 
 
 is 
 
DEPRIVATION. IJ^i 
 
 is advifeable, that the flocks, in general, be 
 reduced to duplets at this period. Thoie 
 that have but few combs, are obvioufly to 
 be taken. In a cold evening or morning, 
 an affiftant may lift the hive high enough 
 up, to permit the apiator to look underneath, 
 which he may do with little danger, or dif- 
 turbance to the bees. The doors of all 
 duplets that feem moft vacant mould be 
 fhur. 
 
 Alljioch in common /jives, that are light, 
 fhould be taken ; and none kept, unlefs 
 about twenty pounds weight. Weak flocks 
 feldom furvive the next fpring ; but, if by 
 chance they do, turn to little account, not 
 adequate to the trouble and expence of feed- 
 ing. One ftrongjlock will be more produc- 
 tive than four weak ones. Neverthelefs, 
 in extraordinary fituations and feafons, they 
 may yield tolerably well. 
 
 In favourable feafons three hives have 
 been taken off, each yielding twenty pounds 
 of combs, though in a fituation that was but 
 middling. 
 
 Two or three carls joined together, have 
 
 accumulated honey very rapidly ; while 
 
 o their 
 
142 DEPRIVATION. 
 
 their feeble neighbours, having few collec- 
 tors,loft that fhort but precious opportunity. 
 
 It is beft to separate boxes about ten in 
 thfc morning, when the greateft number of 
 bees are out ; as it can be done with more 
 eafe and fecurity than in ftraw hives. 
 
 In fmall apiaries, the divider had better 
 be moved under a hive the night before, and 
 then the bees will be fo little difturbed as 
 hardly to refent it. 
 
 When bees are terrified by the operation 
 of deprivation, or other violence, they be- 
 come regardlefs of their queen, till the panic 
 has fubfided. At the feafon of deprivation, 
 the light flocks had better be incorporated, 
 three or four, at difcretion, in a hive, and 
 proportionally furnifhed with honey. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
PASTURAGE. 143 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 OF PASTURAGE, OR BEE-FLOWERS. 
 
 A PLENTIFUL affortment of bee-flowers 
 is a confide ration that requires attention, if 
 we defign to favour an ample production of 
 honey. The nearer the pafturage is to the 
 apiary, the more journies the bees can make 
 in a day, and confequently the fooner they 
 will be able to fill their hives. 
 
 The product from a large fupply, but 
 at difmall diflance^ and in a temperate Jituation y 
 even with the common management, will be 
 fuperior to that of the mofl fkilful in a bad 
 one. On the contrary, with bad manage- 
 ment, and with fcanty pafturage, and indif- 
 ferent fituation, a very trifling profit can be 
 expected. 
 
 Britain in general is but thinly flocked 
 with bees. Few farmers in companion 
 dleem them worth their notice ; it is from 
 
 the 
 
144 PASTURAGE. 
 
 the attention of cottagers we derive 
 the chief fupply of honey and wax. It will 
 be readily admitted, that a large number of 
 flocks kept within a fmall circuit and in a 
 bad fituation, will be prejudicial to that 
 circuit, as being more than can be fupported 
 in affluence ; and will neceuarily impoverifh 
 each other. The ftate of any particular 
 fituation may be known by the general pfo- 
 duc"t for feveral years together, and not 
 from one or two years only ; but mOre cer- 
 tainly from what a very good feafon will 
 produce, which may be accounted as a 
 flandard. 
 
 But there are many filiations capable of 
 feeding a much larger number of flocks 
 than are to be found on them. However, 
 if the generality of farmers and cottagers 
 individually would keep a few flocks, nearly 
 all the honey and wax this country could 
 produce might be collected. This would not 
 only benefit individuals, but might alfo be 
 of real national utility. 
 
 In many counties, cottagers' wages are 
 too low to enable them ever to purchafe a 
 fwarm or flock of bees, efpecially if they 
 
 have 
 
PASTURAGE* iqJ 
 
 nave families. It is a prudent and com- 
 mendable method they have here, of giving 
 credit for a fwarm^ to be compenfated for 
 by the firjl good one that it yields the next 
 yeari and about a quart of honey for intereft. 
 I hope this practice will become general^ 
 among thefe induftrious and ufeful people. 
 I flatter myfelf that the well-known bene- 
 volence of the British Gentry will in- 
 duce them to aflign forrie part of their in- 
 fluence to promote it; 
 
 Large heaths and commons, fur- 
 rounded wi(h woods, are noted for being 
 abundantly productive : the jkft abound- 
 ing with wild thyme* and various other 
 flowers untouched by the fcythe ; and the 
 other with a profufion of farina and honey- 
 dews. Heath and broom are very fer- 
 viceable, as continuing long and late in 
 bloom. 
 
 It is remarkable that the domeftic bees 
 are very nice in their felections, and do not 
 rove from one fort of flowers to thofe of 
 another, indifcriminately. They are li- 
 mited to a few kinds. Thofe of the mod 
 gaudy colours, and which afford the moft 
 L refplendent 
 
S46 PASTURAGE. 
 
 refplendent fhow, and agreeable odours, are 
 moftly neglected by them, as hyacinths, jaf- 
 mines, rofes, honey-fockles, &c. while very 
 imall flowers, or thofe of little note, are 
 to them plentiful fources of nectareous 
 fweets. 
 
 A Lift of Bee Floivers, 
 
 Winter aconite, lauruftinus, hazel, fnow- 
 dropSy crocus*, fallows, ofiers**, primrofes, 
 hepatieas, violets, ftandard almonds, fingle 
 wall- flowers*, onron, goofeberry, apricot 
 and other fruit free&, laurel, turnips*, all 
 the fpecies of braffica, or cabbage*, dwarf- 
 almonds, rofemary*, ftrawberry, tulip, 
 white-thorn, heath, gorfe, ftar of Beth- 
 lehem, borage-, viper's buglofs*, rafberry^v 
 laburnum, tacamahacea*, columbine, bar- 
 berry, bean, yellow lupine, fyringa, fweet- 
 brier, muftard, tares, white clover**, cu- 
 cumbers, greek, valerian, fenna, French wil- 
 lows, holly-hock, ferpyllia or creeping le- 
 mon thyme**, capers, white poppies*, 
 mignonette**, blackberries, lime-tree*, 
 chefnut, mallows, hyfibp, teazle, buck" 
 ■ * wheaf, 
 
PASTURAGE. 147 
 
 wheat, naflurtium, yellow vetches, faint- 
 foin, alders, fcabious, fun-flower, broom, 
 Michaelmas daifies, winter favory, Jacob's 
 beard, purple houfe-leek, tree-ivy j and a 
 few others cf lefs note. 
 
 Thofe marked with * are fuch as pro- 
 duce the greater!: quantity of honey, or fa- 
 rina ; and thofe with **, fuch as yield 
 xh^jinifi honey. Some of them afford both 
 honey and farina. They are ranked nearly 
 in the order they blow. 
 
 Bees are moft, fond of fpots where large 
 quantities of their favourite flowers are to be 
 found together. Fields of buck-wheat, or 
 WHITE clover, will be thronged with bees 
 buzzing their joys, fo as to be heard at a 
 great diftance ; while plants that afford 
 finer honey, but fcattered here and there, 
 will be negle&ed. When feveral forts of 
 honey flowers grow near each other, they 
 will only collect zlfijl from thofe that fur- 
 nifh the beft honey. For inftance, if feveral 
 fpecies of thyrrie are planted together, they 
 will prefer the creeping lemon thyme only, 
 as long as its\Jk>wers laft. In feafons of 
 fcara'/v, they are obliged to take up with 
 L 2 fpecies 
 
I48 PASTITRAGE. 
 
 fpecies of a very inferior quality, and fuch 
 as they would defpife at another time. 
 
 Befides the acquiiition of honey, farina 
 is of great importance to make bees flouriih. 
 It is the dujl or flour found on thejiamma 
 of flowers, and which -contains much effen- 
 tial oil, vifible to the naked eye on holly- 
 hocks. This precious concrete fubftance 
 the bees collect in little balls, on their hind 
 legs, or by the hair of their bodies. The 
 balls, on their return home, are ftruck off 
 from their legs, in its crude ftate or by 
 biting it off piecemeal, and are depofited in 
 their cells ; other bees often affifling. Pro* 
 bably the farina of different colours may be 
 alfo as different in quality. 
 
 Its use is partly to feed themj elves , and 
 partly to nouriih the young. 'That gathered 
 in fummer is immediately fwallowed, and 
 by their digeftive faculties converted ei- 
 ther into fiod t or wax wherewith to form 
 the combs, and which is difcharged at their 
 mouths in a.foft ftate ; fo well adapted is it 
 to its intended purpofe. Therefore, when a 
 fwarm is newly hived, little or no farina is 
 feen to be carried in ; and a proof of this 
 
 may' 
 
PASTURAGE. 140 
 
 may be had, by an attentive obfervation to 
 boxes. 
 
 Wax is alfo drawn by the bees from the 
 refinous and balfamic juices of trees ; the 
 purer fort from the leaves, and imported 
 under the folds of their bellies. The bees that 
 have the good fortune to acquire this pre- 
 cious article, on their arrival in the hive 
 fhake themfelves very much, as though they 
 had a difficulty to difengage it ; and yet are 
 impatient that others fho-uld do it for them. 
 Tar and paint they will likewife load them- 
 felves with, much to their prejudice. Ta- 
 camahacca yields refm fo abundantly, 
 that the bees are very profufe of it, daubing 
 the box windows fo much therewith as 
 fcarcely to be feen through. Combs made 
 with it are coarfe and clumfy. On the con- 
 trary, thofe made from white clover, or 
 white poppies, are white and elegant. 
 
 Wax from Africa is chiefly drawn 
 from refins of the nature of turpentine 
 fubftances, and for that reafon bears a lefs 
 price than Britiih, which is chiefly from 
 flowers. 
 
 Sallows furnifh. a larger quantity of fa- 
 L 3 rina 
 
IJO PASTURAGE. 
 
 rina than moft other plants, and that as 
 early as the bees have occafion for it. Rofe- 
 mary is the firft aromatic plant that blows ; 
 it grows wild in fome parts of France, and 
 is the caufe of that fuperiority for which 
 the Narbonne honey is efteemed. Mi- 
 gnonette yields good honey, and is valuable 
 for its long continuance in bloom, even till 
 November. Beds of it near an apiary will 
 be of advantage, as will edgings of creep- 
 ing lemon thyme along the borders of the 
 garden. Single wall flowers in plenty will 
 be ferviceable. Lime trees are not to be 
 neglected about apiaries, ferving in a double 
 capacity by their flowers, and by their leaves. 
 which are frequently covered with honey- 
 dews. 
 
 Neither leans, nor orchard trees af- 
 ford any great quantity of honey; as may 
 be obferved by the flocks in Hereford fhire, 
 which, though abounding in orchards, is not 
 more productive in honey than other 
 counties. In contraft to this, the borders of 
 Cambridgeshire and Hertford fhire, and part 
 of Hampfhire, abounding with large heaths, 
 commons, and woods, are much more pro- 
 ductive 
 
PASTURAGE. 151 
 
 du&ive than any other part of the kingdom, 
 Farmers there have been known to keep 
 from a hundred to a hundred and fifty 
 (locks of bees. 
 
 Viper's buglofs is a plant much like bo- 
 rage. It is a very troublefome weed in 
 corn, among which it is found in many 
 places in great plenty ; and is fure to make 
 rich hives ; it has a biennial root, delights 
 in chalky or dry foils, and wiil grow on 
 old walls. 
 
 But borage is the king of bee- 
 flowers > it is annual, and blows all the 
 fummer, till the froft cuts it off. It affords 
 honey, even in cold and fhowery weather, 
 when other flowers do not^ owing to the 
 powers being pendulous. The feeds drop, 
 and fow themfelves ; the honey from it is 
 fine. 
 
 To find the quality of the honey from 
 any particular fpecies of flowers, if they are 
 \n confiderable quantity, fet fmall glaffes 
 over a flock at the time of their flowering, 
 and they will chiefly be filled with honey 
 qf the predominant flavour. 
 
 lavender and balm, though fine ar&- 
 L 4 matics, 
 
I52 PASTURAGE. 
 
 matics, yield little or no honey in our cli- 
 mate ; though they do in warmer countries. 
 In ours, where wet and cold fo often oc- 
 cur, the changes are fo fudden (but gener 
 rally not in all countiesalike atthefame time) 
 as to affect the flowers in the difference of 
 their products, fuiting one fort, and not an- 
 other. Lavender is a particular inftance, 
 which is very abundant, and yields a large 
 quantity of honey late, when mofl others 
 have done. 
 
 Very dry summers are as unfavour- 
 able, in caufing the flowers to fade and die 
 too fpeedily to yield much honey. Furze 
 or gorfe, in many parts of Britain, the bees 
 collect from ; yet, in the vicinity of Pem- 
 broke, I have obferved it to be entirely ne- 
 glected by them : whereas, the quantity 
 here is fo large in the hedges and fields, 
 that the product: of honey would be very 
 great. Rape is very beneficial to bees, as 
 alfo turnip, and, as it is later in bloom, will 
 be ferviceable when the other is gone. 
 
 Some flowers, it is probable, contain at 
 once all the honey they can furnifh, and, 
 when deprived of that, yield no more, 
 
PASTURAGE, Jjj 
 
 though continuing in bloom much longer. 
 As for instance* white clover. I have feen 
 fields of it covered with bees ; but in two 
 or three days they had not a fingle bee on 
 them, although continuing in bloom, and 
 the weather equally favourable. 
 
 In very fcanty feafons of honey-gather- 
 ing, bees have been obferved to feed on 
 mellow goofeberries, and ripe faccharine 
 pears ; but I believe none was carried in for 
 ftore. 
 
 Bees do not fly to fo great a diftance as 
 has been imagined for pafturage. The 
 hotter the weather, and greater the profu- 
 sion of flowers to be found on one fpot, 
 the farther they will be allured to fly, and 
 paflure thereon ; perhaps a mile, or a mile 
 and a half; but generally, it is moft pro- 
 bable, they do not exceed half a mile. When 
 it- is cool and windy, though they are fhort 
 of provifions, they will perifh rather than fly 
 beyond that diftance. Instances of this 
 I have feen in flocks in that condition, fitu- 
 ated in a large garden; which, on being 
 removed to the fide of a large common, not 
 
 a mile 
 
154 PASTURAGE. 
 
 a mile diftant, prefently refume4 their la- 
 bours with vigour, arid profpered. 
 
 Where land is very cheap, itfeems 
 reafonable to fuppofe, that it might be culti- 
 vated vtith. forae of the moll: productive of 
 bee-flowers ; fuch as white clover to Hand 
 and feed, rape, muftard, borage, viper's bu- 
 glofs, ftrawbefries, rafberries, or buck- wheat; 
 marlhy wet foils, with fallows, oilers, or 
 lime-trees, which would be likely to prove 
 of more confiderable advantage for eitablifh^ 
 ing a productive apiary, than to let fuch 
 lands remain covered only with four grafs, 
 ruflies, furze, and briers, and fuch like un^ 
 profitable vegetables. Perhaps many perfons 
 will find their account in removing their 
 flocks of bees to fields of clover, buck- 
 wheat, turnips, muftard, or heath, accord- 
 ing as the flowers are earlier or later than 
 thofe of their own filiation. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
HONEY DEWS. %$$ 
 
 CHAP, XIX. 
 
 OF HONEY DEWS, 
 
 H< 
 
 .ONEY dew has in general been ei> 
 roneoufly fuppofed to be a dew that falls 
 indifcriminately on all plants alike ; whereas 
 the true honey dew is an exudation from 
 the leaves of a few fpecies only, and that 
 at a time when other dews do not exift. 
 The trees and plants on which it is found, 
 are the oak, maple, fycamore, lime, hazel, 
 and blackberry ; and fometimes, though 
 very feldom, on cherry trees and currant 
 bufhes. 
 
 Its time of appearance is about ten or 
 eleven o'clock in the morning, and its du- 
 ration about four or five hours, according 
 as the fultry heat which produces it con- 
 tinues. Sometimes it is found as early as 
 feven o'clock, and though the fun does not 
 fhine out, if the preceding day and night 
 have been fultry ; or when the fun's rays 
 
 are 
 
X56 HONEY DEWS. 
 
 are refle&ed from clouds. It is not always 
 found in the feveral fpecies at one time, 
 perhaps only on one in particular. 
 
 This fubftance is as tranfparent and as 
 fweet as honey 5 in fa£t, it is honey. At 
 times it refembles little globules ; but more 
 often appears on the leaves like a fyrup, and 
 moftly in the old ones. 
 
 The season of its ufual appearance is 
 from the middle of June to the middle of 
 July ; but varies in different counties, and 
 according as the weather is more or lefs fa- 
 vourable. In fome years there is none at all. 
 In general, when fruit is backward, fo are 
 honey dews ; even fo late as harveft. There 
 have been inftances of honey dews two 
 months later than the ufual time, owing* to 
 the wetnefs of the fummer, and then but fmall 
 in quantity. The flocks, when taken, were 
 light, and thofe left moftly died of famine in 
 the winter; except in the heath coun- 
 tries, which blowing late, furnifhed honey 
 that was but very ordinary, and barely ade- 
 quate to their winter's wants. 
 
 When a honey dew is produced, the ac- 
 tivity of the bees is violent and unremitting : 
 
 o they 
 
HONEY DEWS. 157 
 
 they almoft defert the hive to import it ; 
 knowing its time of continuance to be of 
 fhort duration, and that on the weather 
 fuddenly changing it is entirely over. 
 
 While the trees are charged with it, the 
 bees are as though fwarming therein, buzzing 
 their joys in loud acclamations. But wo 
 and fmart to thofe who obftruct their fwift 
 defcent to their hives ! 
 
 More honey will be collected in one 
 week from dews, than in many from flowers. 
 It is obvious, therefore, how great mufl be 
 the advantage of thofe kind of trees in the vi- 
 cinity, and from the fiory method, by which 
 the bees may (with care) never be at a lofs 
 for enlargement to beftow the treafure in. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
I58 JblslAS^S* 
 
 CHAP. XX. 
 
 Diseases of bees. 
 
 t^OLD, foggy, damp weather, in the 
 winter, is very often fatal to bees : for then 
 having no exercife they become fubject to 
 a purging, by which they are foon reduced 
 very weak ; and eluftering together in a 
 .body foil each other, and thus contami- 
 nate the whole. The figns of this difeafe are 
 fmall crumbs of wax about the door, or on 
 the floor, with many dead bces y and much 
 filth caked together, and, if of fome time 
 (landing, mouldy, often concealing deftruc- 
 tive wax-moths, &c. If the bees do not 
 fly out, and appear as active as other (locks, 
 it is a fymptom that they are either dead or 
 jiarving. In Hertfordfhire 1 had many 
 flocks affected j but in Pembrokefhire I 
 never had one difeafed j owing, I fuppofe, 
 
 to 
 
Diseases. 159 
 
 to the ftrong and frequent ventilation o£ 
 sea air, to which my fituation is expofed, 
 keeping the atmofphere always pure* 
 
 The difeafed ftocks are to be taken, as' 
 foon as difcovered, into a warm room. 
 Brum away the foulnefs from the edges of 
 the combs, cutting out the parts that are 
 mouldy or black : fet the hive at a moderate 
 diftance from the fire, which will revive the 
 bees that are feeble, or torpid : as foon as 
 they begin to move, pafs among them a 
 few drops of honied ale ; tie a flight cloth 
 over the hive, that none may crawl out, and 
 let it remain three or- four hours, to purify 
 the damp and foul exhalations. When the 
 bees are pretty well recovered, give them a 
 trough of honied ale in which the leaves of 
 tofemary have been infufed, and fet the hive 
 on a clean floor. Contract the door, foas to 
 admit a little of the warm air. Let them 
 remain till next day. If then the bees are 
 few, or are ftill weakly, cover a dry floor 
 with alhes, place on that a little hay, or 
 flraw, and fet the hive therein, conveying 
 it to its ufual ftand. Cover it well with 
 ftraw, bags, &c. and notice occafionarlly 
 
 Vv'h ether 
 
l66 DISEASES* 
 
 whether their condition may require further 
 feeding ; which fhould be given daily, if 
 the hive is not fufficiently ftored with honey 
 and farina* 
 
 When bees fall motionlefs to the bottom 
 of the hive, it indicates that they are chilled 
 with cold, or in a ftarving condition. To 
 prevent a further deftrudion, treat them as 
 above, or fet them to a plentiful ftock. 
 
 Bees often fly in a defultory manner 
 about the hives, bee-houfes or dwelling 
 houfe, in the fprmg, with lamenting tones, 
 as though wanting fomething: that fome- 
 thlng is food; for they are almoft famimed; 
 By obferving which of the flocks has an 
 unufual crowd at their door, the diftreffed 
 hive may be difcovered. A frefh, dry and 
 warm floor mull be given them ; and they 
 muftbe immediately fed : the delay of a day 
 may be a day too late. 
 
 When flocks appear to be light, a daily 
 feeding is indifDenfable, till a certainty of 
 honey-gathering has commenced. Or a 
 hive or box may be cut down to five inches, 
 and filled with ~c#mbs of honey, properly 
 placed, which may laft them a long while, 
 r The 
 
DISEASES. l6l 
 
 The more bees a hive contains, the 
 greater their warmth, which caufes them 
 the fooner to become active in the fpring ; 
 and accelerates the breeding of the queen, 
 and the production of young. But the 
 quicker alfo will the honey be exhaufted. 
 
 And this is the reafon why fo manyjiocks 
 perijh in the fpring, when lean; thought of; 
 ^Tthey were fcantiiy fared. This confider- 
 ation fhould operate as a ftrong inducement 
 to keep none but rich flocks. 
 
 A degree of cold that mall throw the 
 few bees of a weak flock into a ufeful le- 
 thargy, will not have that effecl: on one that 
 is populous. On this principle the weak ftock 
 will furvive ; while the populous one pe- 
 rifhes, by confuming all the honey by the 
 increafe of numbers j admitting both to 
 have an equality of honey. 
 
 When bees in cold weather difengage 
 themfelves from the body or clufter that is 
 in the hives, or fly out, they are prefently 
 chilled to death. 
 
 Thefe infects fufFer more through the in- 
 
 flability of our climate, in its frequent and 
 
 M fudden 
 
l6l DISEASES. 
 
 fudden tranfitions, than from a long conti* 
 nuance of froft. The milder the winter and 
 Jpr'ing have been, the fooner their ftore is ex- 
 haufted ; and if it was rather fhort at firft, 
 the fooner the ftock dies; or perchance it 
 may furvive till the latter end of May. 
 
 The frequent failure of stocks has 
 in moil counties been attributed to witch- 
 craft, or other fuperflitious notions, in- 
 ftead of attributing them to their true caufe ; 
 badnefs of weather, or their owner's neglect, 
 or want ofcjkill, 
 
 Thefe caufes operate alike in every ar- 
 ticle of hufbandry ; often blafting the fondefl: 
 expedtailom of the farmer. But he will not 
 be fo abfurd as to fuppofe that evil fpirits, or 
 witchcraft, have any power to fport with 
 mortals, or their property, at pleafure ; much 
 lefs that bees in particular fhould be victims 
 to their malice, more than fheep or cattle. 
 No ! he patiently fubmits to the Omnipotent 
 "Difpofer of all events, from the deftruction 
 of the ant-hill to the diflblution of mighty 
 empires. 
 
 To fecure them from difeafes, it will be 
 
 neceifary 
 4 
 
DISEASES. 163 
 
 neceflary (contrary to the common opinion) 
 to keep the hives warm in winter, by filling 
 the vacancies around and at top of the hives 
 with ftraw ; efpecially box-hives. In fnowy 
 weather, or very hard froft, the door- ways 
 fhould be wholly clofed, which in fuch a 
 feafon will not be prejudicial ; provided care 
 is taken to unftop them immediately on the 
 weather changing ; for as foon as that hap- 
 pens they will be very anxious to ifTue out 
 for frefh air, as alfo to empty themfelves. 
 Bees fhould always be fuffered to make their 
 exit, except as above, as they well know 
 what weather they can bear, and how long 
 to ftay in it.- It is beft not to houfe bees in 
 winter ; for when a mild day comes, they 
 will rejoice to take the air, which contributes 
 much to preferve them in health. 
 
 The bees in winter fhould be difturbed as 
 little as poffible. 
 
 When bees are long confined by fevere 
 froft, or rainy weather though in fummer, 
 they grow difeafed for want of exercife, and 
 for want of emptying themfelves. 
 
 The regulation of the doors of the hives 
 M 2 fhould 
 
1% DISEASES. 
 
 fliould be proportionate to the weather and 
 the populoufnefs. 
 
 The warmer the hives are kept the better. 
 In cold fprings the doors fhould be fhut at 
 night, and opened in the morning ; but be 
 fure that the bees have no exit, but of the 
 hive, or it may prove their death. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
FEEDING. 165 
 
 CHAP. XXI. 
 
 OF FEEDING. 
 
 V ARIOUS have been the methods and 
 materials for feeding bees in winter. I have 
 found none more fuccefsful, cheap, or con- 
 venient, than soft brown sugar, that is 
 not grainy ; a pound to half a pint of mild 
 ale, diflblved over the fire. But as fugar is 
 at the prefent very dear, honey may at this 
 time fupply its place, though inferior for the 
 purpofe. This compofition, which mould 
 be regulated to the confidence of Jyrup, com- 
 forts and ftrengthens the bees, preventing 
 diforders, increafing their activity, and for- 
 warding the brood, if given plentifully in the 
 fpring. 
 
 It is to be adminiftered by means of 
 
 troughs made of joints of elder 9 angelica, 
 
 cr other kexes, flit down the middle, the 
 
 pith and balk taken away, and reduced to 
 
 M 3 fuch 
 
1 66 FEEDING. 
 
 iuch a depth as eafily to pafs the door-ways 
 of the hives. Their length to be eight 
 inches, or fix at the leafi^ and flatted a little 
 on the under fide, and the end clofed with 
 putty, or other cement. Thefe troughs, by 
 ipaflingfar into the hive, enable the bees to 
 come down to feed, without danger from 
 the cold, which they would fuffer in coming 
 to feed at the door. They are alfo too nar- 
 row to fmothcr themfelves therein. The 
 larger the number of bees, fo much the larger 
 muft be their fupplies. 
 
 When stocks shew signs of pover-* 
 ty, pufh into the hive a trough of the ho- 
 neyed ale (by this term I always mean ei- 
 ther honeyed or fugared ale, as may happen 
 to be cheapeft) in the evening; and if the 
 combs obllruct its entrance, pafs a long thin 
 knife to cut a free paiTage. The next even* 
 ing take another trough full, and, pulling 
 the empty one out, pufh in the full one$ 
 and thus proceed as long as there is occar 
 fion. If flocks do not come down to feed, 
 they mould be taken into the houfe, and 
 fed. 
 
 Such a trough holds about half an ounce ; 
 
 one 
 
FEEDING. 167 
 
 one of them is enough for any ftock for a 
 day and night. This I call private feed- 
 ing. By this method they are prevented 
 from feeding to excefs, which they are but 
 too apt to do, when they have an abundant 
 fupply at once; and thereby bring on a 
 loofenefs, and prove both deftructive and 
 wafteful. Daily feeding, indeed, is more 
 troublefome than giving a quantity at once; 
 but the laft is more expenfive, and not fo 
 fafe. I fed, one winter, two very light 
 ftocks, through the dreary feafon of 1777, 
 till the end of the enfuing May. By the 
 means, and at the expence only of fixtecn 
 pounds of fugar, and one quart of ale, I 
 faved my bees to flourifh in profperity. 
 Care fhould be taken to place no feeding 
 article on the oi(tfde t or at the door-ways, 
 as it will attract ftrange bees, who may 
 alfo become robbers, and ruin the flocks. 
 
 In fuch a difaftrous feafon, a public 
 feeding may be fubjlituted, which is by 
 taking an old empty comb (the deeper and 
 harder the bz\X.zr), filing the cells on one fide 
 with honeyed ale, and placing it on a hive- 
 floor, and over that an empty hive, or pan ; 
 Ma and 
 
l68 FEEDING. 
 
 and fetting it about the middle of the apiary, 
 The bees will foon flock about it in crowds, 
 and empty the comb: once in 24 hours 
 replenifh it. They will not come out to 
 feed in improper weather, though it conti- 
 nues for three or four days. Troughs of 
 food muft be fubftituted during bad wea- 
 ther. Nor muft public jeeding be practifecj 
 when otber apiaries are pretty near, as the 
 bees of thofe will equally partake with the 
 owner's. The bees will entirely neglect 
 public feeding, as foon as honey can be ob- 
 tained from flowers. 
 
 At a public feeding much quarrelling will 
 happen, between thofe who are feeding, and 
 others that cannot approach near enough to 
 partake for the great crowd ; but it will be 
 unattended with mifchief — only mere box- 
 ing bouts, without ufmg their Jiings as in 
 fatal duels. 
 
 Feeding (hould not be attempted % x\-c\ti\ the 
 robbing feafon is over. If any flocks before 
 that time are in diilrefs, they fhould have a 
 trough given them at night, and withdrawn 
 in the morning. 
 
 The weighing, or poijing of hives, in Fe- 
 bruary, 
 
FEEDING. 169 
 
 bruary, to judge whether they require 
 feeding, ought not to be deferred till after 
 they have for fome time begun to breed; left 
 the additional weight of them be miftaken 
 for that of honey, when perhaps there may 
 not be a fpoonful in the hive, and the con- 
 tinual increafe of mouths produce the 
 fpeedier famine. 
 
 Now and then a trough of food given to 
 the flocks as foon as farina is collected, will 
 forward the queen's breeding, and likewife 
 add much to invigorate the bees to greater 
 activity in their labour. 
 
 I weighed a flock November the 2d ; ifc 
 was then 291b. 3 oz. On February 26th, the 
 weight was 24 lb. 1 oz. — Difference 5 lb. 2 oz. 
 From November 2d to February 26th is 
 115 days (the weather mild), in which were 
 confum.ed 5 lb. 2 oz, or 82 oz. which is but 
 three quarters of an ounce per day. 
 
 On the 8th of December a flock weighed 
 21 lb. 1 1 oz.; the 1 ith, 20 lb. 15 oz. ; the 
 2 1 ft, 20 lb. 8 oz. The difference, from the 
 8th to the Uth, is 12 oz. i. e. almoft an 
 ounce per day. From the 1 ith to the 31ft, 
 
 5 oz f 
 
IJO FEEDING. 
 
 5 oz. is but half an ounce per day. The 
 weather frofly the whole time. 
 
 In the firft thirteen days the confumption 
 was 1 2 oz. in the ten lafl only 5 oz. On 
 further trials, I found the refults nearly 
 fimilar. 
 
 From the whole I have been induced to 
 conclude, that a trough holding about half 
 an ounce of honeyed ale, daily adminiftered, 
 is 2ifufficient fupport to anyjiock while feed- 
 ing is required. 
 
 Where the price of honey is higher than 
 that of fugar, feeding will be of advantage, 
 though the ftocks do not need it. For what 
 fugared ale they will confume, will be a pro- 
 portional faving of fo much flock honey. 
 Befides which, it will caufe thofe flocks, in 
 the next feafon, to be the fooner fit for flo- 
 rifying ; and like wife, if it fhould be. rigor- 
 ous and long, the flocks, neverthelefs, would 
 be rejoicing in plenty, while their neigh- 
 bours would be flarving through fcarcity. 
 
 The feeding of bees, in fpring, is of great 
 advantage to them, as it enlivens and 
 ftrengthens them, and fti mutates their acti- 
 vity, 
 
FEEDING. I7I 
 
 vity, caufing them to breed the earlier. 
 A Jittle good ale, with honey diflblved in it, 
 will be •very acceptable, even though they 
 fhould be well provided. 
 
 Since the preceding (heets were written, 
 I have found a very eligible method of feed- 
 ing, by taking a half hive, or box, cut- 
 ting combs of honey down to the pro- 
 per depth, and placing them therein, on bars 
 fimilar to thofe of the ftock which they 
 are to be fet over. Loofen the cover, thruft 
 a divider under it, take it off, and then care- 
 fully fet the half box of combs upon the 
 divider, and immediately withdraw it, and 
 place a cover over the flock, The quantity 
 of combs put in muft be proportionate to 
 the wants of the bees, to the time of its ap- 
 plication, and the nature of the feafon. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
IJ2 THEFTS. 
 
 CHAP. XXIL 
 
 OF THEFTS AND WARS OF BEES. 
 
 T 
 
 H E bees of apiaries are often enemies 
 to each other, and wage deflructive war, 
 compelled thereto by neceffity. 
 
 The robbing season is fooner or later, 
 as the fummer has been more or lefs fa- 
 vourable ; but in general it happens in 
 March and Auguft. That of March is but 
 feldom and triiing : in Auguft very fre- 
 quent and formidable. I once had a flock 
 attacked in this month* and again in Oc- 
 tober. 
 
 When fwarms have been late, but nume- 
 rous, or a bad feafon has followed, it will 
 be a very dangerous time, and make it ne- 
 ceflary to contract all the door-ways, as a 
 caution of fecurity. A few bees will defend 
 a narrow pafs againft a multitude. 
 
 As very bad feafons often occur, which 
 prevent {locks, from procuring fufficient 
 
 honey 
 
THEFTS. I73 
 
 honey for their winter ftore ; reduced to 
 the choice of Jlarving or plundering, thofe 
 that are ftrong chiefly prefer the latter. 
 
 This being determined on, they fend 
 spies to difcover the ftate of neighbouring 
 ftocks ; and fuch as are found to have but 
 few bees, but much honey, are concluded to 
 be proper obje&s for an attack. 
 
 A few of the fpies for fevs;ral days dodge 
 about the doors, trying to get in to obtain 
 more certain knowledge of their ftrength 
 and riches ; but are driven away by the 
 powerful ftocks, who then plant guards at 
 their door, which the weak ftocks do not, 
 and therefore are the firft to be aflaulted. 
 The next day they return in force, and be- 
 gin a violent fiege ; and a defperate conflict 
 enfues, both within and without the hive, 
 neither fide giving quarter. 
 
 The ftouteft warriors make a defperate 
 attempt, and ruih forward and feize the 
 queen ; knowing that, by difparching her, 
 inftant victory is the confequence ; for the 
 aflaulted bees always defift, and join the vic- 
 tors, the moment they are apprifed of their 
 queens death, become as one fraternity, 
 
 and 
 
174 THEFTS* 
 
 and aflift to carry their own treafure to their 
 new habitation. But in cafe the queen is 
 protected, they fight on with rage and fury, 
 and death and pillage foon deflroy the flock. 
 
 As foon as ftrange bees are perceived, con- 
 tract the doors to half an inch; and when 
 an attack is actually begun, flop the doors 
 of all the flocks ; taking care that no admif- 
 fion can be had, at any chafms, into the 
 hives, till a little before dark; and then open 
 all the doors, and the thieves will rufh out 
 and fly home, and the true bees, that were 
 excluded, will enter in. 
 
 About an hour after lift the flock up: if it 
 is not heavy j it muft be taken and fet over 
 another flock, by fuming. But if heavy, 
 and not much plundered, take it to a dark 
 out-houfe, and keep it there two or three 
 days confined, with fome admiflion of air. 
 
 Very early in the morning fhut all the 
 doors, and pofl a perfon near the flocks that 
 were mofl likely to be affaulted, with a kind 
 of battledore, of flight wood, in his or her 
 hand, with which to flrike all the bees down 
 that fhall appear, and tread upon them* 
 Continue this /port as long as any approach^ 
 
 and 
 
THEFTS. I75 
 
 arid in a few hours thefe formidable defpe- 
 radoes will be deflroyed. It will be finifhed 
 about noon. As the apiator's bees are all 
 confined, thofe killed are fure to be robbers 
 only; but if they fhould happen not all to 
 be killed in one day, keep them ftill confined, 
 till night, and finifh the work next day. 
 
 When ftocks do not mew refentment 
 againft the attempts of the fpies, and there- 
 upon keep guard, it is a very fufpicious fign 
 of their weaknefs or poverty. They mould 
 be roufed to anger by thrufting fome twigs 
 into the door- way, which will urge them to 
 revenge, and to guard their door. 
 
 But if noty take the hive, or the enemy will 
 be fure to ftrip it. The guard at the doors 
 will continue two or three weeks, if robbers 
 are about. 
 
 But when robbers find all the ftocks upon 
 their guard, and courageous, after elfays for 
 two or three days, they will defift, and retreat 
 to other apiaries in the neighbourhood more 
 favourable to their defign. 
 
 When a ftock has been alTaulted, and all 
 on a fudden becomes quiet, with great crowds 
 of bees paffing to and fro, it denotes the 
 
 death 
 
I76 THEFTS. 
 
 death of the queen ; on which Immediately 
 clofe the door, and take the hive into a dark 
 room ; and in the evening unflop the door, 
 ■when the ftrange bees wiil take wing for 
 their own home. Then take the combs 
 out, and fave the brood ; or if the honey or 
 brood, be fmall in quantity, referve the 
 hive as it was left, to fuper-hive a flock next 
 year, or to put a fwarm in. 
 
 As soon as strange bees are feen 
 about the flocks, it will be prudent, if there 
 are any weak flocks, to unite feveral into a 
 well-flored hive of honey, which will not 
 only roufe the courage of the bees, but ren- 
 der them too powerful to be conquered. 
 
 The bees of good flocks are always very 
 irritable and revengeful, whenever invaders 
 are on the fcout ; nor will they let their fa- 
 miliar friend the apiator at that time ap- 
 proach them. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
ENEMIES* , 177 
 
 CHAP. XXIII. 
 
 ENEMIES OF BEES. 
 
 &L 
 
 ANY, various, and powerful are the 
 enemies and deftroyers of thefe induftrious 
 and beneficial infects. But a little timely- 
 care and attention would prevent or greatly 
 diminifh their depredations. 
 
 The Wood-pecker^ or Tree-creeper, feizes 
 the bees as they are gathering farina off the 
 fallows in the fpring. Robins and fparrows 
 will boldly wait at the hive door, and catch 
 them as they come out; and fundry birds 
 fei-ze them in their Jligbt. 
 
 Poultry are very prejudicial to bees, by 
 catching them as they pafs in or out of their 
 hives J and their dung is a great nuifance 
 to them. 
 
 Mice get into the hives by the large and 
 deep gaps made for door-ways in common 
 hives readily admitting them in winter, to 
 the deftruttion of the ftock. They often 
 alfo make a lodgment and breed under the 
 N . crown 
 
lj$ ENEMIES. 
 
 crown of the hackel, and eat their way 
 through the top of the hive, to the ruin of 
 the flock. Infpe&ion fhould be taken to 
 prevent it -, and traps fet to catch the mice. 
 A good cat r bred in the garden, would de- 
 vour them. The doors of the hives fhould 
 be made too low for a moufe to enter, but 
 at lead three inches wide* 
 
 The wax-moth is but little noticed, or even 
 fufpe&ed of being,, as it is, a very dangerous 
 enemy, deflroying many flocks in a con- 
 cealed manner. The mother moth lays her 
 eggs about the fkirts of the hive, if fhe can- 
 not elude the vigilance of the- bees, to lay 
 them in the infide. She fpins a elofe and 
 flrong web to defend the young,, who bur- 
 row in the floors,, and progreffively con- 
 fume the combs, to the total deflruclion of 
 the bees. 
 
 Old straw hives, oi-decayed floors, 
 are very favourable to their depredations. 
 Frequent fhifting the hives,.' and cleaning 
 the floors, will prevent the evil ; and will- 
 guard againft other diminutive enemies, as 
 ear-wigs, wood-lice, and ants. The nefts 
 of thefe mould be deflroyed j or platters of 
 
 honey 
 
Enemies. 179 
 
 honey and water, covered with brown pa- 
 per, with many holes, which the artts may- 
 pars, but not the bees, and tied clofe round, 
 will entice them to their deftru&ion. Spiders* 
 webs mould not be fuffered about an api- 
 ary. 
 
 Large slugs, or mails without fhells, 
 creep into the hives in wet weather; and 
 are troublefome to the bees, by hindering 
 their labour, and foiling the hive by their 
 excrements ; caufing the bees to be very frac- 
 tious; but they neither confume the honey 
 nor wax; and generally, fooner or later, blun- 
 der their way out again ; for I very feldom 
 found one in taking a hive up, though I have 
 often feen four or five at a time in boxes. 
 By chance, the^ fometimes lie againft the 
 door- way, and flop it quite up ; which may 
 be foon difcovered, by the bees not being 
 able to enter. They may be taken out by a 
 fharp-pointed wire in the form of a hook. 
 
 Wasps are much more deftrudive to 
 flocks than their other adverfaries, by their 
 fuperior ftrength and prodigious numbers ; 
 efpeciafly in a year favourable to their breed- 
 ing. They are mod numerous in July and 
 N 2 Auguft. 
 
l80 ENEMIES. . , 
 
 Auguft. Soon after that the workers die; 
 but the mothers furvive the winter, and 
 commence breeding about April. But if 
 cold and wet weather enfues, greater part of 
 the brood are ftarved ; becaufe the workers 
 cannot fly out for forage, and wafps never 
 lay up any flore. Wet is very injurious to 
 their nefts ; and therefore, in a long feafon of 
 heavy rain, few wafps will appear till Sep- 
 tember. But a mild winter, fucceeded by 
 a hot fpring, will fo favour the increafe of 
 wafps, that, without the greatefl: vigilance, 
 mai^y flocks will fall victims to their power. 
 One wafp is a matGh for three bees. They 
 are very bold, and frequently encounter the 
 mofl evident danger, undauntedly oppofing 
 a hoft of bees, to filch a belly-full of honey. 
 Therefore, when cold weather fets in, know- 
 ing that the bees keep no guard then, 
 great numbers get quietly in, and carry off 
 abundance of honey ; and having once 
 tailed of the fweets, they will not defifl 
 till they po fiefs the whole. Perhaps the 
 fame method of deflroying them, in this 
 cafe, as cli rected for bee robbers, would 
 prove as effectual againft wafps. 
 
 When 
 
ENEMIES. l8l 
 
 > When wafps are feen dodging about the 
 hives, contract the doors to half an inch ; 
 and fhould the bees be negligent in guard- 
 ing their doors, roufe them to anger by agi- 
 tating twigs within the door of the hive, 
 which will induce them to guard, and affail 
 the wafps. 
 
 In'the fpring the mother wafps may be 
 feen about old timber, with the fplints of 
 which they compofe their nefts. On the 
 bloffbms of goofeberries and rafberries they 
 will be found often, and may eafily be 
 knocked down and deftroyed. Their death, 
 at that thne y will prevent a like number of 
 nefts from exifting the next fummer. A 
 neft of wafps, naturalifts inform us, confifts 
 of thirty thouland. 
 
 Their nefts fhould be fought for by chil- 
 dren; who, for a trifle, would feek, and give 
 information of them. Effectually to deftroy 
 a neft : In the evening, when the wafps have 
 done labour, repair to the place, and flop 
 all the holes of their egrefs or regrefs. In- 
 troduce a squib into the chief paffage, and, 
 inftantly flopping it with a fod, &c. they 
 will prefently be fuftbcated. Dig the neft 
 N3 up, 
 
lS2 ENEMIES. 
 
 up, and burn it. Perhaps a wild-fire, of 
 damp gun-powder, placed on a piece of 
 wood, and introduced, would anfwer the 
 fame purpofe. 
 
 Another way is, to make a hole in the top 
 of their neft (flopping all the others), and 
 then pouring a quantity of boiling water 
 down. This plan might be fubftituted for 
 any method by means of fire, where gun^ 
 powder might be dangerous. 
 
 I have known wafps fo abundant, that in 
 one feafon they deftroyed ten flocks, in one 
 apiary, out of twelve. A few millings, prur- 
 dently diftributed, probably would have pre- 
 vented this difafterj and diminifhed their 
 nefts next year. 
 
 Hornets, in the fpring, will watch the 
 bees as they iflue from the hives. When 
 they are feen about the hives, they mould be 
 knocked down and trodden upon. They 
 may be trepanned, by placing an empty 
 hive, with its infide fmeared with honey, 
 among the flocks. Allured by this, the 
 mother hornets will begin to build therein. 
 In the evening lift up the hive, which may 
 be done with fafety, if the mother is there : 
 
 then 
 
ENEMIES. 183 
 
 then fet it down again, and in about half an 
 hour after, have a vefTel with water ready ; 
 take the hive and plunge it a little way into 
 the water ; then ftrike fmartly on the top of 
 the hive, and the hornets will fall into the 
 water, and by a pair of tongs may be crufhed 
 to death. Or, the hive may be clofely 
 flopped up till morning; and then taking it 
 into a room, raife the edge next the window : 
 the hornet will fly direclly thereto, and may 
 readily be cut in two by fciffars, crufhed, or 
 knocked down. 
 
 Their nefts are ufually hung on the raft- 
 ers, beams, or roofs of barns, or out-houfes, 
 or fixed in hollow trees. They refemble a 
 globe of browni (h paper. 
 
 The nest may be taken by prepar- 
 ing a large-mouthed bag, with a running 
 firing, to draw the mouth clofe. On a rainy 
 day, or in an evening, put on the bee-dreis, 
 and with great ftilnefs approach the neft, 
 and draw the bag gently over it ? inftantly 
 pulling the mouth fo clofe, that not a hornet 
 may efcape. Separate it from the parts 
 it may be attached to, by a long knife, 
 plunge it into a proper depth of water, and 
 N 4. kt 
 
184 ENEMIES. 
 
 let it remain till morning. By this time the 
 hornets will be motionlefs ; then taking the 
 bag out, tread upon it, to crufh the neft flat. 
 Turn the neft out upon a parcel of ftraw, 
 which being lighted, will of courfe burn 
 them ; for the water will not kill them, and 
 they will revive. But if poultry are at hand, 
 the cakes of brood may be taken up by a pair 
 of tongs, and laid before the poultry, and 
 they will foon devour the young as a deli- 
 cious feaft. The fame may be done with 
 the brood from wafps' nefts. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
EXTRACTION OF HONEY, ETC. 185 
 
 CHAP. XXIV. 
 
 EXTRACTION OF HONEY AND WAX. 
 
 X H E hives fhould be kept in a warm 
 room, till the combs are taken out ; fince 
 the honey will drain out the fconer while 
 in a fluid ftate. Turn the hive upfide down, 
 cut through the ends of the fpleets clofe to 
 the hive; then with a broad but thin knife 
 cut through the edges of all the combs, clofe 
 to the hive, and lift it on a clean board, or 
 mallow difh, having firft taken off" the ftraw 
 cover. Then, by a chiffel or wedge, force 
 the body of the hive up, which will be ef- 
 fected if the ends of the combs have been 
 properly loofened ; and by this means the 
 combs will all be preferved in their natural 
 order, as fixed at their tops to the frame of 
 bars : difengage thzm Jingly with the knife, 
 cutting a notch out of each, where it is faf- 
 tened to the fpleet (which keeps the combs 
 
 all 
 
lS6 EXTRACTION OF 
 
 all in their places) till the laft is difengaged. 
 The combs being thus preferved entire^ lay 
 them in a cleanly manner on difhes, and 
 Hieing off the cover of thofe fealed up, let 
 the honey run out. 
 
 The combs of common hives cannot be 
 taken out whole (though fpleeted according 
 to my directions) without an iron injirument 
 in form of an L. The fhaft to be that of the 
 depth of the hives, exclufive of the wooden 
 handle; the ihort foot is to be two inches 
 long, and half an inch wide, made fharp to cut 
 both ways ; the handle, of wood, four-fquare. 
 This is to be paffed down between the 
 combs to the hive top ; then turning the 
 inflrument half round, and drawing it to 
 you, the combs will be difengaged from 
 their fattening to the top of the hive. 
 
 Proceed then to loofen them from the 
 J&ksi &c. as above directed, and they may be 
 taken out without crufhing and breaking 
 them to pieces. 
 
 The taking out the combs whole, or 
 nearly fo, is of great advantage to the pre- 
 fervation of the brood, and the purity of the 
 honey ; which may by thefe means be ex- 
 tracted 
 
HONEY AND WAX. \%>j 
 
 traced without mixing the fluids of brood, 
 or dead bees, or any other heterogeneous 
 matter with it. 
 
 Carefully feparate and preferve the parts 
 of empty virgin combs by themfelves, for 
 placing in glafles ; and thofe that are black, 
 drofly, or charged with farina or deadbrood, 
 Jceep apart. 
 
 The fine combs are to be drained and 
 melted by themfelves, as being free from 
 any alloy. They may be mafhed by the 
 hands, and put upon hair fieves, as being 
 pure virgin honey. 
 
 The parts of combs that have brood or 
 farina in them, are to be cut out rather be- 
 yond their extent, to guard againft the 
 chance of cutting among the brood cells. 
 The inferior combs muft have all their de- 
 filed parts cut out, and then be fqueezed over 
 fieVes, or bolting cloths ftretched ever flicks, 
 laid over dripping or other wide pans, &c. 
 and placed at a proper diftance from the fire, 
 or in a room that has one, for the more 
 fpeedy running of the honey. But for 
 greater expedition, in large apiaries prejfes 
 are ufed. The pots of honey mould not be 
 
 tied 
 
l88 EXTRACTION OF 
 
 tied down till a few days after their filling, 
 that the fmall particles of wax or other fo- 
 reign matter may rife to the top, and be 
 taken off. 
 
 The portions of combs that were laid 
 afide as very impure, but containing honey, 
 may be cut, and thrown into water, to make 
 ordinary mead ; or brewed with malt, to 
 make what is in Pembrokefhire called brag- 
 get ; or elfe fet before the bees on broad 
 dimes, &c. but fpread thin to prevent the 
 bees from flifling themfelves thereby ; as 
 may likewife the refufe combs after draining, 
 and afterwards the veffels ; firfl ftre'wing 
 over them hay, grafs, or herbs, to keep the 
 bees from being foiled. They will lick 
 up every drop of honey. It fliould be fet 
 before them towards the evening. Bat if it 
 is not carefully done, many bees will fuffer 
 by quarrelling ; fo that I think fmall mead 
 had better be made of them. 
 
 Having thus drained the honey from the 
 combs, boil the fine combs by them- 
 felves, with a fufficiency of water to keep 
 them floating, till they are thoroughly melted. 
 
 A three-cornered bag of ftrono- linen 
 
 o 
 
 cloth. 
 
HONEY AND WAX. 189 
 
 cloth, tapering to a point-, is to be prepared, 
 which is to be held by an affiftant over a 
 tub of cold water, while the operator pours 
 the melted combs into the bag ; injlantly 
 draw the top of the bag clofe by a ftring, 
 and let two perfons prefs it ftrongly down- 
 wards, between two ftrong fticks tied toge^ 
 therat one end like a flail. Do this repeat- 
 edly down the fides of the bag till no more 
 wax iflues through. When the wax is cold, 
 it \i to be taken from the water, and re- 
 ?nelted with very little water, merely fuffi- 
 cient to prevent burning. As it boils, take 
 the feu m off as long as any rifes, and pour 
 it into proper veffels. 
 
 Thofe that are narrower at bottom than 
 top (the moft fo) are to be preferred. Rin- 
 (ing the veffels and all the inflruments with 
 cold water firjl, prevents the wax from flick- 
 ing thereto. 
 
 The veffels or moulds for wax are to 
 be placed fo as to have the warmth of the 
 fire, with a cloth over them, that the wax 
 may cool gradually, or it will crack. When 
 quite cold, turn out the cakes of wax, and 
 pare off all the dregs that may appear on the 
 
 top, 
 
t$6 EXTRACTION o£ 
 
 top, or bottom , that it may be clear and 
 marketable. The dregs that are pared off* 
 may be re-melted, and will yield a little 
 more wax. 
 
 Inftead of perfons to hold the Bag, which 
 is fatiguing, it may be flung upon a ftrong 
 ftaff, with the ends refting on the backs of 
 two chairs, &c. 
 
 Or a four-legged frame might be more 
 eligible; high and wide enough to admit a 
 tub of water in the infide ; and with ftrong 
 pegs fixed on the top, at proper diftances s 
 for fuftaining the bag in the middle of the 
 frame. The bag is to have a running firing 
 to draw the mouth together. 
 
 The vefTels in which wax is boiled ought 
 to be confiderably larger than the matter 
 contained ; for when the wax boils, it very 
 fuddenly rifes to a great height, and may 
 
 prove of DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCE. 
 
 A more expeditious method cf extracting 
 the wax from fine combs is, by boiling 
 them alone. Prefs them flightly down, ufe 
 very little water, keep them ftirring till the 
 fcum rifes, which take off as long as any 
 rifes ; but when only froth appears, blow 
 
 3 that 
 
HONEY AND WAX. igi 
 
 that afide. When perfectly diffolved pour it 
 <into proper moulds, and fet it near the fire, 
 covered over, till cold. On turning it out, 
 the fmall quantity of impurities which has 
 fubfided to the bottom, is to be pared off. 
 
 If the cake of wax fhould by chance 
 feem difcoloured, re- boil it again without 
 water. 
 
 Wax, when taken off the fire, cools nearly 
 as foon as metals ; therefore the procefs 
 fhould be executed as expeditioufly as pofli- 
 bie, or a lefs quantity of wax will pafs 
 through the ftrainers. 
 
 If combs are kept a confiderable time, 
 without being melted, they will moulder 
 and rot, or the wax-moth will breed among 
 them, and devour the greateft part, and 
 pefter the whole apiary. 
 
 A hive of three pecks, well filled with 
 full honey combs, of two years {landing, 
 will yield in general 25 lb. of honey, and not 
 more than 2 lb. of wax. The average run 
 of common hives is 15 lb. of honey, and 
 i lb. of wax. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
192 ON HONEY. 
 
 CHAP. XXV. 
 
 CHARACTERISTIC OBSERVATIONS ON HONEY. 
 
 ONEY varies in quality, according to 
 the nature of the flowers from which it is 
 gathered. 
 
 That from aromatic plants is the beft. 
 But often, through very bad weather, the 
 bees are neceffitated to colled!: from flowers 
 of very ordinary and difagreeable qualities ; 
 caufing the honey of particular fituations to 
 be bad, while in other counties at the fame 
 time (the weather having been more favour- 
 able) the honey was of a very fuperior de- 
 gree of excellence. 
 
 Virgin combs are fuppofed to contain 
 none but honey of the fineft quality ; yet, 
 if the above principle be true, fuch may be 
 ordinary. All combs taken from swarms 
 are commonly efteemed virgin: but this is an 
 error, if by virgin is meant the pureft and 
 1 beft. 
 
ON HONEtf. I93 
 
 beft. For every comb, or part of a comb, 
 that has had farina or brood in it, is thereby 
 rendered impure, fo that fo much of any 
 comb or combs, whether of /warms or /locks % 
 thus circumftanced, is not virgin. 
 
 This is evident from the /warms breeding 
 through the fummer equally with the flocks, 
 and their combs being equally charged with 
 brood and farina. The wax from fuch 
 combs will indeed be Jiner, and in greater 
 quantity than that of frocks. The conti- 
 nued ufe of the cells in breeding, firft foils 
 them, and at length renders them impure y 
 but the cells where nothing but honey has 
 been depofited, and which, when full, have 
 been fealed over, are certainly MOST pure. 
 As to quality, that of virgin combs may be 
 as ordinary as that of flocks, if both were 
 gathered at the fame time, and from the 
 fame kind of flowers. 
 
 The older combs are the weightiefl; for the 
 bees will cement the Jkins of the different 
 breeds of maggots to the fides of the cells, to 
 flrengthen them, till at lafl they become as 
 fliff as brown paper. 
 
 Old farina and other matters are conti- 
 O nually 
 
194 ON HONEY. 
 
 nually an increafing addition to their weight 
 and confidence, fo as with difficulty to be 
 feparated from the real wax, even by a 
 long boiling, and then but partially. Honey 
 depofited in fuch old combs, necefiarily re- 
 ceives a tinge, tafte, and fome impurities 
 from them. However, parts of fome combs 
 in old hives, that have been lately made, may 
 be virgin. 
 
 It is for the reafons above, that a hive of 
 ftale combs, though bulky and weighty, dif» 
 appoints the expectation, by producing, in 
 general, only one pound of wax. 
 
 The honey generally brought to the Lon- 
 don and other markets is moftly foul, and of a 
 coarfe quality, from the caufes above ftated, 
 as well as from the carelefs and uncleanly 
 manner by which it is extraSied. The com- 
 mon method is, by taking the combs out of 
 the hives by piece-meal, indifcr\m'inately y and 
 mafhing them, dead bees, brood, farina, and 
 drofs all together; which muft needs render 
 it an heterogeneous mafs, of a difagreeable 
 and often naufeous tafte, and unwholefome 
 in quality. 
 
 For 
 
ON HONEY. I95 
 
 For fieves exclude only the groffer parts ; 
 but the fluids of the maggots and dead bees* 
 with many other impure particles, remain 
 intimately incorporated with the honey. 
 By this unfkilful management a very valu- 
 able and falutary article of diet and medi- 
 cine has been rendered difgufting and in- 
 elegant* 
 
 With fubmiffionj I would recommend to 
 the nobility and gentry to purchafe none 
 but combs of honey, to be drained at home; 
 Sophistications and impurities would then 
 be avoided, and fueh combs might be fe- 
 le£ted as aire fine, or according to their own 
 fancy* Were this condition injtfied uJ)on, 
 the markets would foon abound with combs 
 of honey inftead of pots. This introduction 
 offuch a cuftom mufl: depend on the patron- 
 age of the gentry ; without which fo ufeful 
 an improvement will not be likely to take 
 root* 
 
 Doubtlefs the pride muft be regulated ac- 
 cording to the quality of the combs, as in 
 fugar and other articles. 
 
 Another benefit may arife from it, the 
 promoting of the improve? manage- 
 
 O a MENT 
 
I96 ON 1IONEV. 
 
 me nt of bees; for as in the common 
 method few, very few, fine combs can be 
 produced, compared to that of ftorifying j, 
 the peafaritry would thereby by degrees be 
 influenced to adopt it. 
 
 The comparative tafte and fragrancy of 
 honey are the bell criterions to judge of its 
 excellency. In cold weather it grows hard 
 and grainy j fome forts are of a whitifh co- 
 lour, as that gathered from white clover. In 
 warm weather, or in warm rooms, it will fer- 
 ment, and grow acid. In fome years it is 
 naturally very glutinous and thick, to what 
 it is in others. 
 
 Honey, as partaking of acidulous and 
 faline parts, ought not to be kept in veflels 
 glazed with lead, as all coarfe ware is, but 
 in ftone : for though its effects may not be 
 felt by the ftrong, it may prove detrimental 
 to the weak and delicate* 
 
 Sometimes a white mealy matter will fe- 
 parate, and concrete about pots of honey, 
 which is a real meal or farina that the bees 
 digeft with their honey. The white at- 
 tracts the notice, from being the more con- 
 fpicuous. 
 
 7 Honey 
 
ON HONEY. I97 
 
 Honey may be clarified by putting it 
 into a bowl, and fetting that in water over 
 a fire. When it boils, part of the impuri- 
 ties will rife to the top, and is to be fkimmed 
 off. The heat, in this procefs, however, 
 takes off from its fragrancy, and, if properly 
 extracted, it is not neceffary. 
 
 It may be thought that honey retains the 
 virtues of the flowers from which it is ga- 
 thered. This may be true in a degree, efpe- 
 cially of aromatics; but as it is gathered 
 from a variety of different flowers, of various 
 qualities, the honey muft partake of that of 
 the aggregate. We find, whatever flowers 
 it may have been collected from, it frill re- 
 tains its difagreeing quality (though other- 
 wife diverfified by flavour and colour), and, 
 if expofed much to fire, lofes its fine/me// 
 and tajle. Neverthelefs, whether it could be 
 deprived of its difagreeing quality, and made 
 as agreeable as fugar, without a diminution 
 of its medicinal virtues, merits the confider- 
 ation of the chemift. 
 
 The heating and griping properties of ho- 
 ney probably arife from its ejfential oil, with 
 which farina largely abounds ; its detergent 
 O 3 and 
 
I98 ON HONEY. 
 
 and faponaceous qualities, from, a fixed 
 alkaline fait, combined with the efiential 
 oil. 
 
 It is wonderful, amid ft the great che- 
 mical difcoveries of this age, that this bene- 
 ficial article mould never have been thought 
 of importance enough to obtain an analyfis ; 
 by which a procefs might be deduced, to 
 free it from its offending qualities, without 
 impairing its medicinal ones. VxohabXy fuch 
 a refinement as is ufed with fugar might pro- 
 duce the effect ; though with the lofs of its 
 fragrancy and fine tafte. 
 
 Bees will not feed on candied honey, nor 
 fyrup formed of rough-grained fugar, but 
 fuck up the liquid part, and leave the granules 
 behind. 
 
 GHAP. 
 
MEAD. 199 
 
 CHAP. XXVI. 
 
 TO MAKE MEAD. 
 
 X O every gallon of water add three 
 pounds and a half of honey. Boil it as long 
 as any fcura arifes, which fkim off. If it 
 boils longer, the fermentation will not fuc- 
 ceed fo well, nor will the liquor prove fo 
 fine. 
 
 Pour it into a cooler : at a proper degree 
 of heat, put in a flice of bread toafted hard 
 on both fides, covered with fre(h yeaft, and 
 with it a little lemon peel, or any other plea- 
 fant-tafted fubftance. Set it in a warm place, 
 and cover it from the cold air. When it 
 has fermented two or three days, tun it up, 
 and nightly cover the bung-hole j tajle it 
 every day, till it is found to have a vinous 
 flavour and fmell. Bung it then flightly ; 
 and when it appears to have entirely done 
 fermenting, flop it quite down. 
 
 O4 If 
 
200 MEAD. 
 
 If another fermentation fhould be per- 
 ceived, leave the vent peg out for fome 
 days. Having flood fix months, if it is , 
 fine, bottle it ; if not, draw it off the lees, 
 drain them out, without rinfing the cafk, 
 and return the liquor into it. Then 
 take a long two ounce phial (fuch as 
 Bateman's drops or Godfrey's cordial are 
 ufually put in), put therein a quarter part of 
 chalk in fmall bits, and to it a quarter of 
 water : then tying round the neck a piece 
 of thread or twine, let it down into the cafk, 
 till its top is on a level with the bung-hole ; 
 when pour in about a quarter part of the 
 meafure of the phial of weak fpirit of vi- 
 triol, and inftantly let it down far enough 
 for the bung to go in ; but not fo low as 
 for any of the liquor to pafs into the phial. 
 Hold the ftring till the bung is faft in, to fe- 
 cure the phial from flipping down. 
 
 Care mud be taken, when the hung is to 
 be taken out, to fecure the ftring that the 
 phial may not. fink into the liquor. The 
 quantity ftated is enough for nine gallons. 
 
 The fixed air generated from the phial 
 will gradually pafs into the liquor, and not 
 
 only 
 
MEAD. 201 
 
 only fine, but tend greatly to preferve it from 
 acidity, and give it the fparkling quality of 
 champagne ; taking off the difagreeable 
 lufcioufnefs fo common in mead. Having 
 flood four or fix months longer, it will be 
 fit to bottle. If any part of the fpirit fhould 
 rife with the fixed air, or by other means get 
 into the liquor, it will be harmlefs ; being 
 often prefcribed in medicine, Perhaps fharp 
 vinegar may anfwer as well. 
 
 I conjecture malt and other fermented 
 liquors will equally be benefited by a fimi-? 
 lar ufe of the vitriolic acid. Perhaps, if 
 ufed at first with the ferment, it would 
 anfwer the purpofe much fooner. 
 
 Honey is preferable to fugar for mak» 
 ing domeftic wines, giving the lightnefs, 
 cordiality, and vinofity of foreign wines. 
 
 Mead may be flavoured by rafberries, 
 currants, &c. by a proper quantity of fuch 
 articles, that have been preferved with honey 
 or fugar, being infufed into the liquors when 
 fet to ferment. A foiall quantity will then 
 flavour a much larger quantity, than a much 
 larger if boiled in the liquor at firft 
 
 If the liquor ferments too long after it is 
 
 tunned, 
 
202 MEAD. 
 
 tunned, brimftone thrown on a few live 
 coals, and fet under the cafk, will prefently 
 reftrain it, or any other fermenting liquor. 
 
 To promote fermentation., care muft be had 
 that the cafks be not fhook, and that they be 
 kept warm, excluding much air or light ; and 
 with the bung-hole but loofely covered. 
 
 For conducting the fermentation with 
 fuccefs, the rule is to Hop it at the vinous, 
 flate, before it commences to be acidulous : 
 for, if not fermented enough, it will be foul, 
 mawkifh, and not keep j if too much, it will 
 then turn four. 
 
 The practice of vintners is to fcent their 
 calks with the match, viz. for a pipe take four 
 ounces of brimftone, of burned alum one 
 ounce, put in a pipkin, and held over a chaf- 
 fing difh of coals till the brimftone is melted 
 and runs. Slips of canvas or coarfe linen 
 are then dipped into it, and the powders of 
 nutmegs, cloves, and corianders, inftantly 
 fprinkled on them, and then fired, and let 
 down at the bung-hole, and the fumes kept 
 within the vefiel as much as poflible. 
 
 This prevents the ropinefs of liquors, and 
 a diffipation of fpirits, and confequent weak- 
 
 nefs, 
 
MEAD. 20J 
 
 nefs, arifing from the imbibing quality of 
 new cafks. 
 
 When vinous liquors become flat, they 
 may be reftored with fpirit of wine, and 
 with raifms and fugar, or honey, Thefe 
 articles foon render them briik, and fpark- 
 ling, and reftore their ftrength. 
 
 The juice of elder- berries will communi- 
 cate a fine claret colour and tafte. An agree- 
 able roughnefs may be alfo given by the juice 
 of ripe floes, \ . 
 
 CHAP. 
 
204 SUMMARY. 
 
 CHAP. XXVIL 
 
 A SUMMARY Of MONTHLY MANAGEMENT. 
 
 S the moft natural, it will be proper to 
 begin our bee year with 
 
 October. 
 
 This month requires no other fuperin- 
 tendance, than fome cafual obfervations, viz. 
 that the ftocks are not attacked by robbers 
 (for this, though not common in this month, 
 fometimes happens) ; and that no infe&s or 
 vermin harbour about the hives. 
 
 November* 
 It is proper to clean the floors, or rather 
 to exchange them for clean and warm ones. 
 Cover boxes, efpecially about the tops, with 
 matts or ftraw. If any ftocks are light, feed 
 them, which in this cafe muft be continued 
 
 through 
 
SUMMARY. 205 
 
 through the other cold months. Clear away 
 cobwebs, weeds, and vermin. 
 
 December 
 
 Requires a continuation of the fame pre- 
 cautions. If an uncommonly fevere frofl hap* 
 pens, fecure them effectually with coverings, 
 and clofe the doorways ; leaving only a very 
 fmall vacancy for frefh air. And in fnowy 
 weather it is to be attended to that no bees 
 may come out. 
 
 January, 
 
 The fame directions are to be obferved 
 as for the two preceding months. 
 
 February, 
 
 Feel the weight of the flocks : thofe that 
 feel light feed daily, till honey-gathering 
 arrives. If two or three troughs of honied 
 ale are given each of the flocks in this and 
 the following month, it will contribute to 
 forward the brood. 
 
 March. 
 
 As foon as the bees begin to work brifk- 
 ly, the floors fhould be again fhifted, and 
 
 every 
 
2q6 summary 
 
 every annoyance about the hive taken away» 
 Early in the morning will be the propereft 
 time. 
 
 Thofe ftocks that appear to be very nu- 
 merous (if the weather be mild) fhould be 
 duplicated* 
 
 April, 
 
 The flowers in this month are oftert 
 replete with honey j and the ftocks with 
 young bees, fo that fwarms are fome-3 
 times emitted ; to which attention is to be 
 given. 
 
 Through the windows of boxes may be 
 feen whether honey is carried in, and theri 
 feeding may ceafe, unlefs on a change to 
 bad weather. Obferve to double all the 
 ftocks. 
 
 May, 
 
 The weather in this month is moftly very 
 changeable, fo that light ftocks require ftill 
 to be fed, when it is unfavourable, even to 
 the laft day of its continuance. If the wea- 
 ther is hot, take off the additional coverings 
 put on in the other months. Be fure now 
 9 to 
 
SUMMARY. 20j 
 
 to let the bees have a plenitude of room for 
 breeding ; better too much than too little. 
 But if the weather is cold, mifty, and damp 
 for feveral days, and not attended to, famine 
 may be the confequence. 
 
 This month generally furnifhes many 
 fwarms : therefore conftant watching is 
 requifite from eight till three ; or otherwife 
 great part of the prime fwarms will efcape. 
 
 June. 
 
 By tapping on the fides of the duplets, it 
 may be known whether they want the ad- 
 dition of a triplet. About the latter end of 
 this month it is likely it may be neceffary 
 to take ofFfome triplets, and to fet nadir hives 
 under. 
 
 Be very circumfpecl: with regard to the 
 flocks that have not fwarmed. 
 
 July. 
 
 Swarms often rife till the end of this 
 month; and therefore the bees mufl be 
 watched till all the hives have fent out their 
 prime fwarms. Take hives off, and place 
 nadirs under, as often as may be requiflte. 
 
 About 
 
Sd8 SUMMARY* 
 
 About the tenth, the upper doorways of 
 duplets mud be flopped. 
 
 If the weather is fo hot as to endanger 
 the melting of the combs, give the hives as 
 much air as poflible, and fcreen them from 
 the fun, and pour water upon the ground 
 around them. 
 
 Augujl. 
 
 This is a dangerous month for robbing. 
 Therefore an obfervation rauft be had every- 
 day, to fee whether the hives are affaulted. 
 By neglecting that, many flocks are fre- 
 quently loft. Wafps are to be guarded againft. 
 
 About the latter end of this month is 
 the ufual feafon of general deprivation^ or 
 taking up of flocks. Inftead of taking 
 off duplets in this month, it would be 
 better (I think) to defer it till the latter 
 end of the next month, or beginning of 
 October. 
 
 September. 
 No other attention is required than a 
 cafual caft of the eye, to fee that the ftocks 
 are not annoyed by robbers, or vermin. 
 
 PART 
 
PART II. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS 
 
 PERFORMING 
 
 THE 
 
 OPERATIONS. 
 
 J B S yKK3BS3E 5f S3W5 i B555B iBS ^ pjfi jBSESS 
 
GENERAL RULES. 
 
 I. 
 
 X O put on the bee-drefs whenever an 
 operation is to be performed ; for although 
 not always necefTary, yet it will be prudent 
 to be prepared againft the worft, efpecially 
 for the unexperienced. For a foot may flip, 
 or an accident happen that no human fore- 
 fight could be apprifed of. Great care 
 mould be taken after the drefs is off, of 
 coming near the bees, as they will be eager 
 to fting, for three or four days, though the 
 perfon be at a confiderable diftance. 
 
 II. 
 
 Before any operation on a flock, Mop 
 
 or fhut the door- ways, and be fure to unftop 
 
 them as foon as it is over, unlefs where it 
 
 Pa is 
 
212 GENERAL RULES, 
 
 '< is otKerwife directed. The beft material, 
 as well for this purpofe, as for Mopping 
 crevices, is long fhaggy rnofs, found on 
 banks under hedges. 
 
 III. 
 
 Though the operations are directed to 
 be performed in the morning early, or in the 
 evening as foon as the bees are all at home ; 
 yet by the ufe of the dividers they may be 
 done at any hour; in cloudy mizzling days ; 
 when the bees are out at their labour, or 
 have been previoufly fhut in very early iri 
 the morning. 
 
 No. I. 
 
INSTRUMENTS OF FUMIGATION. 21 2 
 
 D 
 
 No. I. 
 
 INSTRUMENTS OF FUMIGATION 
 
 -RE, firft^ a Box, pi. I. fig. 4; adapted to 
 this purpofe, of the exadijize of the boxes 
 in ufe. It muft have a clofe bottom, nailed 
 to the edges, and without crevices. 
 
 On one fide a round opening muft be cut 
 to receive the mouth of a quart tin pot 
 from within ; and at fuch a diftance that 
 the pot may not be nearer than an Inch 
 from the fide^ and three inches above the bot- 
 tom. 
 
 The quart pot, without a handle, is 
 to be punched round the fides as full of 
 holes as poffible, within an inch of the top 
 (except about two inches, which need have 
 but few), as alfo in its bottom. The holes 
 mould be as large as thofe of a flour- 
 dredger. The pot is to be fixed in the cir- 
 cular opening by flat-headed tacks, with the 
 part having the feweft holes next the bottom. 
 P 1 v Another 
 
214 INSTRUMENTS OF FUMIGATION. 
 
 Another aperture is to be cut on the 
 right of that for the pot, fix inches in 
 length and four and a half wide, to receive 
 a pane of glafs ; it is to have a fhutter to let 
 into a bevel at top, and reft on a ledge at 
 bottom, and to fallen with a button. A 
 wooden or cork (topper muft be fitted to 
 the pot. It will make the box more con- 
 venient for vifion, if a fmall window 
 three or four inches fquare is made in the 
 back^ about three inches difcance from the 
 Bottom. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 Without a great quantity of holes in the 
 pot, each at leaft one-eighth of an inch in 
 diameter, the matter for fuming will not 
 burn freely, and will thereby hinder the effedt 
 defigned. The pot is placed an inch from 
 the fide, that the bees in falling may not 
 lodge or be obflructed in their paflage, and 
 thereby fccrched. For a like reafon the pot 
 is three inches above the bottom. The cir- 
 cular form of the pot prevents any confider- 
 able number of bees from being detained 
 thereon The part on one fide having few 
 6 holes, 
 
OBSERVATIONS. 215 
 
 holes, is for laying the fuming fubflance 
 on. 
 
 Annexed to the fume-box is a frame \ 
 pi. 1. fig. 5. to nail on its edge. It confifts of 
 a hollow fquare, the rim three inches broadj 
 and three quarters of an inch thick ; the in- 
 fide hollow, to be equal to that of the box ; 
 the other parts to extend over the out- 
 fide* 
 
 This frame is intended for placing full 
 boxes as well as hives over it; and there- 
 fore, to fuit it to that purpofe, its ~cor?ier$ 
 have four fmall pieces of wood fattened in, 
 to adapt it to the circular bottoms of the 
 hives. By the breadth of the rim, it will 
 likewife admit any common-fized hivei 
 
 Other instruments are, a long thin 
 and broad knife, with a fquare end, and at 
 fquare wooden handle : 
 
 TWO BRASS PLATES, OR DIVIDERS, 
 
 and two Jlips of double tin, of the fame 
 length as the plates, and three inches broad ; 
 or in lieu thereof, two old faws without 
 handles* and their teeth taken off". 
 
 P 4 No. 
 
2l6 MATERIAL FOR FUMIGATION. 
 
 No. II. 
 
 The Material for 'Fumigation. 
 
 In my former treatife I flightly men- 
 tioned a method of Jiupefylng bees, but have 
 fince that time heard that fome perfons on 
 trial could not fucceed. 
 
 Having always been in a habit of drivings 
 I did not give the fubjedt that attention 
 which it fo juftly deferved. But reflecting 
 on the great advantages it was capable of 
 could the difficulties be furmounted, I ftu- 
 diouily applied to experiments, to accom- 
 plifh this defirable end, which I now fub- 
 mit to my apiarian friends. 
 
 The substance be.ft adapted for thi.s 
 purpofe is the Lycoperdon, or great puff ball. 
 It is likewife called frog cheefe, mully puff, 
 punk-fift, and by various other names ; but 
 I mail mention it only under that of Puffs, 
 in the fequel. 
 
 In good foils it frequently grows as large 
 as a child's head ; commonly as large as the 
 
 double 
 
MATERIAL FOR FUMIGATION. 2I7 
 
 double fift. There is alfo a fmall fort, 
 about the fee of a fmall apple, but of a 
 very weak quality. 
 
 Both forts grow on dry pafture grounds, 
 and in woods ; and thrive where muih- 
 rooms do, and nearly about the fame time, 
 or either fooner or later,— or fometimes not 
 at all. 
 
 They are to be gathered in dry weather, 
 if poffible, and as foon as full grown, which 
 is in about eight days. They then begin to 
 turn brown and powdery, and are then 
 moft fit for the purpofe. But if not come 
 to their growth, when dried, they become too 
 hard to hold fire. Prefently after the puffs 
 are gathered, expofe them as much as pof- 
 fible to the funmine to dry ; or for want of 
 that, in a dry made, &c. fecure from wet 
 or dew. Drying them by the fire makes 
 them hard, however moderate the heat. 
 
 Care muft be taken to preferve them dry, 
 in paper bags, in a dry room, till they are 
 wanted. For as they feldom come in fea- 
 fon early enough for ufe, they ihould be 
 preferved in readinefs for next fummer. 
 They are to be laid on the hearth for an 
 
 5 hour 
 
2l8 MATERIAL FOR FUMIGATION. 
 
 hour or two, the evening before they are to 
 be ufed, to expel from them the dampnefs 
 their fponginefs makes them liable to ; 
 which would render them unfit for burn- 
 ing freely. Age likewife has the fame ef- 
 fect, bereaving them in part of their ftupe- 
 fying power. Puffs found in autumn in 
 woods, or under hedges, being dried by a 
 moderate fire, though not fo good, may do 
 for want of better. Puffs kept longer than 
 the fecond year, retain little virtue. 
 
 Thofe puffs which in a dry feafon have 
 become mature, light, and dry, burn the 
 heft of any. The lighter and more fpongy 
 the puffs are, the readier they burn. Thofe 
 that are gathered in, or foon after, wet wea- 
 ther will be very tardy in burning, being 
 deprived in a great meafure of their virtue, 
 however dried afterwards ; as will thofe that 
 have been dried, but fullered to get wet 
 again, but which redrying will not re- 
 ftore. 
 
 When a wet feafon, or any other caufe, 
 
 has hindered the acquifition of puffs of a 
 
 good quality, they fhould be fteeped in a 
 
 folution of nitre (fait petre) in water, viz. a 
 
MATERIAL FOR FUMIGATION. 2I9 
 
 tea fpoonful of nitre grofsly powdered > to a 
 pint of water. After the puffs are foaked 
 therein, they are to be well dried, and, thus 
 treated, will quickly take fire, and retain it. 
 
 But if puffs are very bad, rub a piece of 
 camphor, of the bignefs of a pea, to powder, 
 and then add a little linfeed oil. This 
 being fmeared lightly over a puff, will im- 
 mediately take flame by a candle ; blow 
 the flame out, the puff will continue to hold 
 fire, and fume till reduced to tinder. 
 
 It is to be noticed, that moil dry puffs will 
 readily hold fire in the open air : but when 
 introduced into a clofe box, excluded from 
 frefh air, they cease to fume. And mould" 
 frefh air be admitted, it would counteract 
 the ftupefying quality of the fume already 
 admitted, and delay the operation, or 
 make it wholly unfuccefsful ; therefore the 
 leaf! frefh air poffible fhould be admitted. 
 
 No. 
 
220 METHOUS OF FUMItfGk 
 
 No. tit 
 
 The Method of Fuming; 
 
 Take as many pieces of puff, eacri 
 about the fize of an egg, as the fume pot 
 will hold without preffing ; lay the pieces 
 on embers, or live coals^ in a chaffing-difh, 
 or the like s when they appear to fume 
 well, put them nimbly into the pot of the 
 fume- box, and immediately flop the mouth* 
 The hive or box of bees being previoujly 
 fet over the box (with all crevices flopped, 
 that no fmoke may efcape), in about fifteen 
 ©r twenty minutes the bees will be stupe- 
 fied, 2nd fall from their combs into the 
 fume-box. This will the fooner happen if 
 the hive or bee-box is now and then gently 
 tapped on the top. When the fmoke firft 
 arifes, it caufes a great buzzing among the 
 bees, which gradually ceafes as they become 
 (enfelefs ; and then they may be heard to 
 
 drop 
 
Methods of fuming. 221 
 
 drop down, and will recover again in about 
 the fame fpace of time on the admiffion of 
 frefh air, and without receiving the leaft in- 
 jury. 
 
 A flight fuming will at all times render 
 them very peaceable, though not quite in- 
 fenfible. 
 
 A fmall portion of brand may be laid on 
 bad puffs when they are flrft put in, left 
 they mould not retain the fire. The Jlupe- 
 fying bees is in no wife prejudicial to them y 
 fince they foon return to their wonted la- 
 bour and a&ivity, as if no fuch operation 
 had been done. Nor do they afterwards fhow 
 any refentment upon that account, which 
 |s always the cafe after driving. 
 
 No. IV. 
 
 A Method for Cottagers who are not provided 
 with 'Dividers. 
 
 Make a hole in the ground fpmething 
 lefsthm the circumference of the hive, and 
 
 eight 
 
222 METHODS OF FUMING. 
 
 eight inches deep ; fpread a cloth to cover 
 the bottom and fides. 
 
 In the evening take a ftick feven inches 
 long, having a flit in its end to receive a piece 
 of puff about the fize of an egg; light it, ftick 
 the other end in a clod of clay, and inftantly 
 place a hive of bees over it ; and they will 
 become as eafily ftupefied as when fuffo- 
 cated by brimftone. If one piece of puff is 
 not fufficient, put in two or three upon 
 (licks. 
 
 No. V. 
 
 Or, inftead of a hole, a circular ridge 
 of earth, nine inches in height, with the 
 infide hollow, and fuitable to fupport the 
 hive, when fet over it. Leave a part of 
 the ridge open to piit in a fuming-pot, which 
 may be a fmall earthen pan, an old tin pot, 
 or the like, in which put the lighted puffs, 
 and cover the pot with an old funnel (the 
 pipe off) with many holes in it, to keep the 
 bees from falling on the burning puffs. Im- 
 mediately 
 
METHODS OF FUMING. 223 
 
 mediately on putting the pot under, flop the 
 opening by a fod of earth, made ready for, 
 that purpofe. If the puffs mould not hold 
 fire, run a wire, or fmall flick, through the 
 fod, to let in a little frefh air. 
 
 Or, an empty hive may be ufed for this 
 purpofe, in lieu of the earth ; turning the 
 hive upfide down, and fetting another 
 thereon. 
 
 Or, the ridge of earth may be made on a 
 board, and fo be more convenient to be re- 
 moved near the hives. 
 
 If the hives are not of equal circumfe- 
 rence, two fticks, of the due length, with 
 two others nailed acrofs them, and laid over 
 the hive, pot, or kettle, will conveniently 
 fuit any hive you have. 
 
 Thefe methods are defigned for ftorified 
 hives only; it being of no life to fave the 
 bees of fingle hives. 
 
 No. 
 
224 fHE USE OF DIVIDERS. 
 
 No. VI. 
 
 The life of Dividers. 
 
 In separating storified hives, 
 thruft in one of the brafs dividers firft, with 
 its turned end upwards , between the two 
 hives; then move in the other with its 
 turned end downwards, and Aide it under 
 the firft. At the fame time, an affiftant is 
 to keep both hives from flipping out of their 
 places. When the apiator withdraws the 
 upper divider, and hive thereon, the affiftant 
 is firmly to keep the under divider from 
 moving with one hand, and with the other 
 keep the under hive Heady. The apiator, 
 in drawing the Jiive towards him, rauft 
 move his hands gradually under the divider, 
 till nearly half is withdrawn •> he will then 
 feel it upon a poife, ftill keeping the divider 
 clofe up to the hive, lift it gently and care- 
 fully up, and fet it on the fume-box, placed 
 By him in readinefs. The affiftant, in the 
 mean while, is to place another empty hive 
 
 over 
 
USE OF DIVIDERS. 11$ 
 
 over the flock in lieu of that taken off, or 
 a cover, as the cafe may requite. K-ep the 
 hand on the cover, or empty hive, and with- 
 draw the divider. If the divider do not 
 eafily come out, ufe a pair of pincers. 
 
 Sometimes the irregularities and fnags of 
 the broken binding or ftraw of the hives 
 greatly obftrucT: the free entrance of the di- 
 vider. To obviate this, it is proper to have 
 two slips of double tin, fifteen inches long, 
 and four wide : they are to be moved in on 
 the right and left fide of the hive ; introdu- 
 cing them at the middle of the fides, and not 
 at their ends, they will then generally pafs 
 eafily. But if any impediment occurs, run a 
 broad knife between the edge of the hive 
 and the tin, and raife it a finall degree at the 
 point of obftruclion. Or, if it arifes from the 
 under hive, the knife is to enter under the 
 tin, to difengage it. The flips having paffed 
 nearly to their whole widths the dividers are 
 to be moved in at the back or front of the 
 hive, as mail be moil eafy, and under the 
 flips j by which means they will enter with 
 great facility. Obferve to turn their ends as 
 before mentioned. If the dividers enter at 
 O the 
 
226 STORIFYING. 
 
 the back, a perfon mull hold his hand 
 againft the door-way, to prevent the flop- 
 ping from being moved out. 
 
 Particular care fhould be had, in tak- 
 ing out the dividers, to fet them upright 
 againft fome fupport, or to lay them flat, to 
 prevent their being bent, which would ren- 
 der them unfit to keep the bees clofe in. 
 
 No. VII. 
 
 To Storify. 
 
 To Jet on a duplet, loofen the cover of 
 the flock, and Aide a divider underneath it, 
 keeping one hand on the cover. Take it off 
 as foon as the Aider is adjufled ; then fet an 
 empty hive upon the divider, and keep the 
 hive fafl while it is withdrawn. Early in 
 the morning, or in the evening, will be the 
 properefl time to do it : a pair of gloves only 
 will be needful. 
 
 To place a duplet under a flock, fet a 
 flool behind the flock ; fhove the divider 
 
 under 
 
DEPRIVATION. ^27 
 
 under it, then lift the hive and Aider on the 
 ftool; fet an empty hive (with its cover off) 
 and floor in the place of the flock, which 
 lift thereon ; pull out the Aider with one 
 hand, while the empty hive is kept fteady 
 with the other. 
 
 A triplet is to be managed in the fame 
 manner. 
 
 No. VIII. 
 
 Deprivation^ or Separation of Hives. 
 
 First, a triplet is to be taken in the 
 evening. The dividers are to be introduced, 
 as by No, VI. ; the feparated hive is to be 
 placed on a floor, at fome diftance, and then 
 the door unftopped. In about an hour after, 
 or the next morning, if the bees in the triplet 
 are quiet, as alfo thofe of the flock, there 
 are queens in both; but if not, mut the door 
 of that taken, and fet it over the fume box, 
 and proceed to fume, as by No. III. 
 
 cl» If 
 
228 DEPRIVATION. 
 
 If an under or nadir hive is to be taken 
 from a double or triple hive flock, the 
 fame method is to be u'fed ; — only the two 
 upper hives are to be taken off together, and 
 placed on a flool till the nadir is taken away* 
 and then fet on a frefh floor in its old fitu- 
 atiom 
 
 Second Method of taking Triplets 
 
 Is, for a flout man to life up the triplet, 
 flock, floor and all, and take them to fome 
 apartment, in which a ftrong form or bench 
 is firmly prepared clofe to the wall, and 
 to place them on that. It may be done any 
 time in the morning, if the bees are very 
 early fecured from coming out. Follow the 
 directions of No. VI. j only the operation may 
 be more fecurely done, without being in- 
 commoded by the bees of the apiary, when 
 at a diflance from them; and being againft 
 a wall, the hives are kept more fteady dur- 
 ing the infertion of the dividers. If the 
 middle hive feems full of combs, and has 
 not much brood, thatalfo may be taken. 
 
 On the GENERAL DEPRIVATION, the 
 
 hives 
 
DEPRIVATION. 229 
 
 hives taken off muft be fet apart- in an- 
 other parr of the garden, to dlfcover which 
 have queens; as alio of the flocks. And if 
 any are without, the hive taken from it 
 mud be reftored, and remain fome weeks 
 longer. The further fumigation is to be 
 deferred til! tie next day after taking. It 
 is 10 be noted, when hives are lifted on the 
 jume-box, it fhould be on the divider^ which 
 is then withdrawn, by which means no bee 
 can efcape. The ftuperied bees are always 
 £0 be, put in an empty hive, and placed be- 
 fore the flock, on fome fupport. 
 
 To SEPARATE DUPLETS, is fo obvious 
 
 from what has been written, as to preclude 
 further directions. 
 
 Cottagers mull purfue the methods of 
 No. IV. 
 
 Many times the edges of straw hives 
 ■will be fo uneven as to fuffer the bees to pafs 
 under them, fo as to be very troublefome on 
 the introduction of the dividers. To re- 
 medy this default, prepare a narrow flip of 
 coarfe linen cloth, about three inches wide, 
 and of a length fomewhat more than the 
 Q^3 circum- 
 
230 DEPRIVATION. 
 
 circumference of the ftraw hives in ufe. 
 Two fmall wire hooks are to be fixed at one 
 end. This cloth is to be thoroughly wet, 
 and drawn round the body of the hive, about 
 an inch and a half above the bottom edge. 
 When the dividers are to be ufed, raife the 
 edge of the cloth, juft high enough to fuffer 
 them to pafs a little under, and let the cloth 
 drop clofe round. Its weight will render it 
 fo clofe as to exclude any bee from palling. 
 
 It will many times happen, that a few 
 bees will ftill remain in the hive, notwith- 
 ilanding the mod powerful fumigation, by 
 having fecured themfelves in the empty 
 cells ; or by the fume not being ftrong 
 enough when Jirji put in. In fuch a 
 cafe, throw a cloth over the hive, and take 
 it into a dark room, there to remain till the 
 next day ; when gently drumming or tap- 
 ping on the fides and bottom of the hive, 
 they will rife to the edge of the combs, and 
 fly home, without (hewing any anger. 
 
 When a hive is cleared of bees, the brood 
 combs mould be properly placed in an empty 
 hive, inverted on a divider^ and fo placed 
 
 over 
 
DEPRIVATION. 231 
 
 over the ftock. This mull be done very 
 leifurely, left it provoke the bees to deftroy 
 the young. If one hive will not hold them, 
 put the refidue in another, which fet over 
 fome other ftock. 
 
 Boxes are much eafier feparated than 
 hives, from having their edges more even, 
 though the like obftacies will fometimes 
 happen ; and which are relieved by the fame 
 means as for hives. But the ufe of tin flips 
 will not be requifite. 
 
 It will be advifable for the unexperienced 
 to pracTife the manner of operation by trials 
 on empty hives with a weight laid over 
 them, before they attempt with hives of 
 bees. 
 
 Care muft be taken, that as few bees may 
 be killed as poffible ; efpecially where the 
 queen's death would be the ruin of the hive. 
 
 Cottagers mould feparate the combs 
 from the bottom hive the night before, by 
 a knife ; when they are to take the hive off, 
 give it a kind of. twift, and then lift it on the 
 ridge of earth, as by No. IV. while a perfon 
 injlantly throws a cloth over the top of the 
 hive left, there to remain till next morning ; 
 Q^4 then 
 
232 RE-UNION OF SWARMS. 
 
 then placing the edge of the flraw cover juft 
 under the cloth, fhove it nimbly and cloiely 
 with the right hand, while the cloth is kept 
 fmooth with the left ; by which means the 
 bees, and pieces of combs, that were lodged 
 on the top, will be puihed off by the Aiding 
 in of the cover. But if the cover does not 
 fit clofe, nop the chafms with mofs till cold 
 weather comes, when the ohftruclions may 
 be pared away with a knife. 
 
 MKrazWEHEBBnao 
 
 No. IX. 
 
 The Re-unton of Swarms with their Stocks , or 
 with each other. 
 
 Having hived a recent fwarm, take it 
 to a diftance from the apiary, lav a cloth on 
 the groundj and fcrike the edge of the hive 
 thereon ; the bees will fall out in a lump. 
 Withafpoon tenderly divide them into three 
 or four parcels, putting them into as many 
 pans, fieves, &c. and let each parcel at a 
 4 con- 
 
RE*UN'ION OF SWARMS. 233 
 
 confiderable diftance from each others' fight. 
 Thole parcels which have no queen will 
 foon return home again. That which re- 
 mains take to a darkened room, and fume, 
 as by No. HI. This done, turn them out 
 upon a table, and with a fmall ftick difen- 
 -gage a few at a time from each other, and 
 look attentively for the queen. If not found 
 in the firft number, ftrike them off the table 
 into an empty hive, and thus proceed with 
 the reft. When flie is found, inftantly 
 feize her between the finger and thumb, and 
 put her into a phial with a notched cork, 
 and about a dozen workers with her, to keep 
 her warm and eafy. Infpeffi the remainder 
 of the parcel, left there fhould be another 
 young queen. Include them all in one hive, 
 and fet them down before the flock, to which 
 they will gladly unite. 
 
 But mould a queen not be found, it is 
 poflible fhe may have fallen down, and 
 been crufhed. In that cafe the bees will 
 foon fhew their inquietude, and return 
 home. If not, give them a flight fuming, 
 and proceed as before, but with more cir- 
 
 cumfpe<9don. 
 
 Keep 
 
234 RE-UNION OF SWARMS. 
 
 Keep the captive queen two or three days, 
 when, if there fhould be no occafion for 
 preferving her, death muft be her portion. 
 For, if let loofe, (he will return to the flock, 
 and occafion a repetition of the procefs. Or 
 elfe make an artificial fwarm with her, if 
 wanted. 
 
 By the like means, as many swarms 
 as rife may be added to the Hock, or united 
 with one another, to form a powerful ftock 
 of themfelves. Only then keep the bees in 
 the hive, with a cloth over it, and take them 
 out by a fpoonful at a time, to examine 
 them, pulling the cloth over after every 
 fpoonful, to prevent their reviving too foon. 
 
 Or, swarms may be united, three or 
 four, or more, together, to form a ftock, as 
 directed at pages 99 and 100, or at depri- 
 vation time. 
 
 When two queens rife together with a 
 fwarm, and are hived, but prove hoftile to 
 each other, fumigation will reconcile them. 
 The firfl queen that recovers will be acknow- 
 ledged, the other flain. 
 
 If a fwarm that is to be united is tumul- 
 tous and mifchievous, the giving them a 
 
 flight 
 
CAPTIVATING THE QUEEN. Q$$ 
 
 Hight fuming will make them more trada- 
 ble. It is worth remarking, that bees are 
 often adverfe to receive ftrangers at one 
 time, but will cordially receive them at an- 
 other ; therefore they muft be humoured e 
 
 No. X. 
 
 Captivating the ^ueen of a Stock 
 
 Fume the flock, and examine the bees, 
 as in the foregoing article. Sometimes^, as 
 well as fome other bees, will evade the effect 
 of the fmoke, by entering the empty cells 
 (which is equally the cafe even with 
 brimftone), and therefore muft be proceeded 
 againft as before direded. To diftinguifh 
 a queen, a previous knowledge fhould be 
 acquired, by infpeding the bees that have 
 been fuffocated. A queen may be attached 
 to any part, by paffing a filk thread round 
 her neck, and clipping off part of one wing. 
 Where flie is fixed, the fwarm will furround 
 and never quit hen Or a queen may be 
 
 captis 
 
2$6 UNION OF STOCKS. 
 
 captivated thus : Put the bees that have a 
 queen into a hive or box, whofe top has 
 long flits of only five thirty -feconds of an inch 
 in width. The working bees, by much 
 tapping on the fides of the box, or by blow- 
 ing the fmoke of tobacco in, will ifTue out, 
 and leave the queen behind, as fhe will not 
 be able to pafs the flits, if accurately made. 
 
 No. XL 
 
 Outliers to recruit weak Stocks, 
 
 At the clofe of the evening, place a floor 
 on a level with, and to touch that of the outr 
 Hers ; bring the weak flock pretty near ; 
 then with a fniall Mick very leifurely ftroke 
 the out-liers down on a vacant floor. In- 
 ftantly take away the ftock, and fet it at a 
 little diftance, while an afliftant places the 
 weak ftock over the floor of out-liers, its 
 edge being kept raifed by a wedge. Let 
 them remain till day-break, by which time 
 the idlers, in all probability, will have as- 
 cended; 
 
UNION OF STOCKS. 237 
 
 cended ; when, taking away the wedge, re- 
 place the ftock in its former fituation, and 
 the other at a confiderable diftance. 
 
 But when a great quantity of bees clufter 
 round the body of a hive, an empty hive 
 fhould be placed near; when lifting the ftock 
 upon the empty hive, idlers and all thereon, 
 they will foon find and embrace the new 
 accommodation. 
 
 Another method is, to fpread a cloth un- 
 derneath, and by a brufh or watering pot 
 fprinkle water over them ; by which means 
 they will be unable to rife, and may be 
 brufhed off on the cloth, and put on the 
 floor of an empty hive, and the weak ftock 
 over them. 
 
 No. XII. 
 
 To unite a queenlefs Stock to another. 
 
 When a ftock in fummer has loft its 
 queen, ftop the door immediately, till the 
 other ftocks have done work, then open 
 
 it 
 
238 tfNION OF WEAK STOCKS 
 
 it for about an hour, and then flop it again 5 
 Hide under it the divider, fume it, put the 
 bees in an empty hive, and fet them over 
 another (lock. By this means, as they gra- 
 dually acquire vigour, they will affimilate 
 with the flock, without any difturbance. 
 The hive of combs taken mofl likely will 
 have much brood therein, which is to be 
 difpofed of as before mentioned, and what 
 honey there is is at the owner's fervice. 
 
 No. XIII. 
 
 STo unite weak Stocks or Swarms in Autumn. 
 
 If, through inadvertence, weak flocks or 
 fwarms have been retained till autumn, and 
 one of them has a fufficient winter's {lore, 
 incorporate the lighted with the flrongeft, 
 by fuming each feparate, and then placing 
 the weak one over the other. When the 
 bees recover, they will unite without flrife, 
 and the fupernumerary queen be call out. 
 If they are both poor in honey, but flrong 
 
 in 
 
OR SWARMS IN AUTUMN. 239 
 
 in numbers, they will form a good ftock, if 
 a good hive of honey is placed over them. 
 Otherwife, fuffocate them* and take the ho- 
 ney, and fave the brood, if any. 
 
 Cottagers may unite them by turning 
 one hive bottom upwards, in a cold day, for 
 feveral hours, till the bees become chilled and 
 feeble : the combs are then to be taken out 
 feverally, and the bees brufhed off upon a 
 table, and the queen taken from them. Then 
 put the bees into a pail, pan, &c. lay two 
 flicks acrofs, and place the other hive over 
 it ; clofe the joining with a cloth, all but 
 the door-way. Let them ftand thus two 
 or three days, in which time they will have 
 united. If afterwards the hive fhould be 
 found too light, the bees fhould be fed. 
 
 After all, this is but a fhift, which feldom 
 anfwers. Had they been incorporated in 
 fummer, they would have turned to good 
 account. ■ 
 
 No. 
 
24° DRIVING, 
 
 No. XIV. 
 
 Driving* , 
 
 Pass a divider under the hive to be drove, 
 and then tie a cord acrofs it and the divider 5 
 turn the hive upfide down on an empty- 
 hive, bucket, or fomething convenient* 
 Place the fume-box, reverfed, over the hive, 
 (firft taking the cord off), and gently with- 
 draw the' divider, taking care that the door 
 of the hive is well clofed ; then with two 
 flicks beat, as though drumming, on the 
 fides of the hive (all but that fide next you) 
 and at the bottom, not very hard, but very 
 quick, ceafmg a little at intervals. In about 
 fifteen minutes the bees will begin to be 
 terrified : hearken whether they make a 
 great buz, and whether a buz is likewife 
 in the box, for by that it may be guefled 
 that many are afcended. Some one mould 
 hold the box fleady while the drumming is 
 made, or it will fhake, and let the bees out. 
 The box may then be fafely lifted up on its 
 fide oppofite to the light (for the room 
 
 mould 
 
DRIVING. 241 
 
 mould be almoft dark), and the bees will fly 
 directly towards the light. Hold the box 
 fteadily between your fide and arm, and 
 with the other hand continue tapping round 
 the fides. Tlte bees by this become tame, 
 and will gradually crawl up from the hive 
 into the box, with loud buzzing ; and the 
 more fo when the queen afcends, for then 
 the reft vAWfoon follow; but till that hap- 
 pens they rife with great reluctance. 
 
 By chance a few may be left behind, 
 which may be drummed out the next day. 
 
 If no fume-box or divider is provided, a 
 common draw hive may be ufed inftead ; 
 and the flock lifted on it (when inverted) over 
 night. In the morning, flopping all chafms 
 and the door, tie the two hives faft with a 
 cord, and invert them, and then proceed as 
 above. 
 
 The driving of bees renders them very 
 peaceable and traceable, fo that they may be 
 fafely taken up in the hand ; though not fo 
 completely as by fumigation. They may be 
 turned on a table, feverally divided, infpe£t- 
 ed, and the queen taken from them. But this 
 peaceable difpofition continues but a little 
 R while 
 
24^ SHOW-BOX FOR AMATEURS. 
 
 while in either method ; fo that the opera- 
 tor muft be as expeditious as poIEble. Except 
 when the bees are kept in an empty hive 
 two or three days, it will make them extra- 
 ordinarily tame. 
 
 Driving will be useful as a fucce- 
 daneum for puffs, in feafons or circumftance^ 
 when they cannot be had. 
 
 To naturalists it may be of advan- 
 tage, by enabling them to inveftigate. the 
 properties of thefe wonderful but irritable, 
 infects, while in a flate of vigour, more fa- 
 tisfactorily than by fumigation or immer* 
 Jiotu 
 
 No, XV. 
 
 Show- Box for Amateurs. 
 
 This box, or frami, is to be made of 
 rattan or mahogany, without top or bottom. 
 It is to be nine inches high, and two and a 
 quarter wide, clear in the infide, exadily; and 
 twelve long. There is to be a pane of clear 
 
 glafs 
 
SHOW-BOX FOR AMATEURS. 243 
 
 glafs on each fide, as large as the frame will 
 admit. The glaflfes are not to be let into a 
 rabbet, as ufual, but to Hide up from the 
 bottom to the top within fide, under four 
 fmall tenter hooks, and flopped at bottom 
 by a fmall fcrew, fo that the glafTes may be 
 taken out occafionally. There are to be two 
 half-inch flutters on the outfide, to fatten in 
 a bevel (not to Aide) at bottom, and with a 
 button at top. 
 
 The top is to have a bar one inch wide, 
 and the full length of the frame, and is to 
 be let in at each end fo as to be flufh with 
 the top, and at half an inch diftance from 
 each fide of the box. 
 
 A door-way % to be cut at one end, 
 pne inch and a half long, and half an inch 
 high : this is to be efteemed the front. At 
 the other end or back, a like door-way is to 
 be cut ; and another three inches higher. 
 
 On the top edges of the box are to be two 
 narrow flips or ledges fattened ; between 
 which are to lie (not to Aide in a rabbet) 
 two pieces of glafs, each half the length, and 
 fufficlent in width to cover the top between 
 
244 SHOW-BOX FOR AMATEURS. 
 
 the ledges. A wooden loofe cover muftclofe 
 the whole. 
 
 It muft have a loofe floor two inches 
 wider than the box ; and little abutments 
 fhould be added at the corners near the bot~ 
 torn, to give the box a fteadinefs fufficient 
 to prevent its being turned alide. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 The narrownefs of the bpx, and its hav- 
 ing but one bar, is intended to prevent the 
 bees from making more than one comb, 
 which they would do if it was a quarter of 
 an inch wider. 
 
 By being confined to one comb, the mi- 
 nutiae of their transactions are expofed to 
 view on boh fides ; the queens not except- 
 ed : a difcovery I fufpec~l not to be fo fully 
 obtained by any other means known to the 
 public. 
 
 A window, full fouth, is the propereft to 
 place the box in. A fituation the leaft ex- 
 pofed to wind is neceffary for their fucceed T 
 jlig. The bees are ufed to great heat, and 
 
 commu- 
 
SHOW-BOX FOR AMATEURS. 245 
 
 communicate much themfelves, which caufes 
 a great indraught of cold air to be very pre- 
 judicial anddifcouraging. 
 
 I invented this box in the year 1783, 
 when removing to this fituation (which is 
 an extraordinary windy one* beneficial to 
 my own health, but not propitious to bees) * 
 and not having a convenient afpecl to fix 
 the box in, the wind greatly impeded their 
 labour^ and fruftrated my defigns ; except 
 one year, which being tolerably favourable, 
 my purpofe was in part anfwered. 
 
 The two door- ways in the back of the 
 box are the readier to introduce troughs of 
 food, in cafe the bees, through bad wea-* 
 ther, are hindered from colktYmg^ after 
 being firft put in, or at any other time. The 
 two back door-ways are to be always clofe 
 flopped when not ufed. 
 
 The reafon why the panes of glafs are not 
 to be fixed in, is, that in cafe of accidents 
 they may eafily be repaired* 
 
 R3 
 
 No. 
 
24& MANAGEMENT OF 
 
 No, XVI. 
 
 Management of the Show Box. 
 
 Procure a flip of deal, of the length m 
 the box, one inch and a quarter broad, three 
 quarters of an inch thick : pierce final! holes 
 in it, at equal diflances, four on a fide, into 
 which put eight flight flicks, four or five 
 inches long y and thu3 form a ffoge, cutting 
 off all irregularities at the bottom. Place in 
 it a thick empty 'Virgin comb, four or five 
 inches in length and breadth. Introduce it 
 as. far up the middle of the box as to touch 
 the bar ; fallen it at the ends by two fine 
 and long fcrews, paffed in at the front and 
 back of the box. Or, the flage may be 
 hung to the bar by four firings (horfe-hair 
 will be befl) over the bar let into grooves r and 
 tied on the fide of the bar, that there may 
 be no obftacles above the level of the box. 
 
 Having procured a queen from 2ifwarm i 
 cut her wings half off, put her into the box 
 at the top, the door being flopped \ then put 
 a pint of fumed bees, including ten or 
 
 twelve 
 
THE SHOW-BOX. 247 
 
 twelve drones, into the box with her. A 
 lefs number of bees than a pint will be too 
 few ; and a greater will fo much crowd the 
 comb as to prevent the view defigned. 
 Clofe the top by one half of the glafs, and 
 the other by a perforated piece of tin. When- 
 ever the door is unftopped, both pieces of 
 glafs muft be laid over, or there will be too 
 great a draught of air. Throw over them 
 a cloth, and let them remain till the morn- 
 ing ; then unftop the door fo as to admit a 
 paflage of two bees at a time. If on the 
 fecond day the bees feem contented, entirely 
 unftop the door, and give them a trough of 
 food. Refrain from opening the fhutters 
 for four or five days, and then but feldom, 
 till they have begun to collect, and repair 
 the combs, or it will difguft them, and caufe 
 a defertion of the box, which will fome- 
 times happen notwithftanding. 
 
 For the queen and her fubje&s, being ufed 
 to a much greater heat, to a larger fociety, 
 and a more commodious habitation, will be 
 very much difpleafed at fuch a fcanty tene- 
 ment, and not foon reconciled to it. 
 
 But however difgufting it may be, if the 
 R 4 queen 
 
.248 MANAGEMENT OF 
 
 queen does crawl out, or her fubje&s fwarm 
 out, the one muft drop, and the others, 
 though cluttered on foraething near, muft 
 return, and the queen may be found under 
 the window, and again returned into the 
 box. The clufter, being fecured, is to be 
 introduced to her. 
 
 If great winds annoy them very much, 
 they will emigrate, though they have en- 
 riched the box with honey and brood. The 
 clufter that fettles may be fhook into an 
 empty hive, and fhook out again upon a 
 table, and the box placed near them, when 
 they will foon join the queen. 
 
 For the purpofe of excluding the wind, 
 it is advifable to have a tin trough, of the 
 jhape of a T ; the long end to fit the door- 
 way of the box, and to be open at the other 
 end, as well as at the ends of the crofs tube. 
 Corks are to be fitted to them, that either of 
 them may be flopped in the point from 
 which the wind blows. 
 
 When* the weather proves cool and chilly, 
 cover the box with a woollen clorh. 
 
 When the bees are wanted to relinquifh 
 
 the box, Hide a divider under it, and fet it 
 
 7 r- over 
 
THE SHOW-BOX. 
 
 over the fume-box ; fhove the box as near 
 the edge of the hollow, as its width, and 
 withdraw the Aider the like width, and the 
 bees will have a free opening to fall kit© 
 the fume-box. Fume them according to 
 art. 
 
 The box muft be fet on a board in the 
 window, and fo that no bee may have 
 egrefs to the room ; obferving the like pre- 
 cautions as before advifed for window boxes, 
 
 POST- 
 
POSTSCRIPT, 
 
 J U S T as my maiiufcript was f eady for 
 the prefs, I became acquainted with aTreatife, 
 recently publifhed by Mr. James Bonner^ 
 of Edinburgh, purporting to be " A New 
 " Plan for f peed ily increafing the Number of 
 " Bee-Hives in Scotland" &c. Upon a 
 careful perufal, feveral paffages in that work 
 feemed worthy of notice ; but not to alter 
 the body of my own, I here give them fepa- 
 rate, with a few brief remarks. 
 
 Mr. Bonner is a ftickler for the Schirachean 
 doctrine of raifmg young queen bees at plea- 
 fure, in order to form artificial fw arms -, and 
 oppofes thofe of a contrary opinion, though 
 fortified by numerous experiments of re- 
 fpe&able naturalifb, at home and in Ger- 
 many, feveral years after thofe of Schirach. 
 
 The 
 
1$% POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 The fubjed of difpute is of little corife- 
 quence, as not being advantageous for the 
 general ufe of thofe who feek the bell me- 
 thod of producing the moil honey and 
 wax ; nor is it eligible for the purpofe it 
 was defigned for, viz. Artificial fwarming. 
 
 The champions of both fides exprefs their 
 doubts of its general benefit. B. himfelf, 
 in particular, fays, " It is not a great num- 
 " ber of hives that will produce the greatefl 
 " quantity of honey and wax, but only real 
 " good ones. I alfo doubt whether more 
 <c hives can be reared by this method, as our 
 <c bees generally produce more queens natu- 
 " rally, than they are able to fupply with a 
 " fufficient number of common bees to 
 " compofe a fwarm with, as appears from 
 " their killing the fupernumerary ones;" 
 and therefore he " prefers natural fwarms." 
 
 Schirach's method is by a double hive, 
 and the bees are compelled to afcend into 
 the upper one by the fmoke of rags, &c. 
 A piece of brood comb is cut out, of four 
 or five inches diameter, containing a mag* 
 got or maggots, precifely of three days old, 
 and properly placed in an empty hive, toge- 
 ther 
 
POSTSCRIPT. 253 
 
 Ither with part of a comb of farina, and 
 another of honey : about a quart of bees 
 is then to be introduced, and the hive 
 flopped up, except a fmall paffage for air, 
 and fo remain three days. There will be a 
 great tumult and noife in the hive for fome 
 hours, when it will fubfide, and the bees will 
 begin to build a royal cell. The fourth day 
 an opening is to be made of a quarter of an 
 inch, that the bees may come out leifurely. 
 After roving about for fome time, they will 
 return to their hive. It mould be done in 
 the fpring. 
 
 B.'s procefs is, I think, an improvement : 
 he drives the bees out, then cuts a piece of 
 comb out that has feveral maggots, of vari- 
 ous ages, and placing, &c, and then fets the 
 hive at a very confiderable diftance from the 
 apiary, without* flopping the bees in. This I 
 underftand to be B.'s method, for he feems 
 referved as to an explicit explanation. I 
 make no doubt but the ufe pf Khz puffs will 
 be found preferable, 
 
 Shirach's Hopping the bees was ill judged, 
 and what, perhaps, occafioned my bad fuc- 
 
 cefs. 
 
 It 
 
254 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 It is fomewhat ftrange that Mr. B. mould 
 have purfued his refearches, without the 
 advantages of bee-glafTes, or bee- boxes, but 
 confined himfelf to flraw hhes of the com- 
 mon form holding two pecfo and a half, 
 and occafionally eeks. 
 
 His principal dependence for rearing a great 
 number of flocks , is by providing a fufficiency 
 of pafturage adequate thereto ; but thp 
 waxen caftle he has raifed for this purpofe 
 feems to have been built on a hill of fand. 
 
 He fuppofes a perfon to begin with five 
 flocks, whiph the fecond year will be in- 
 creafed to ten, and fo continue to increafe in. 
 a duplicate ratio for ten years, which will 
 then amount to 2,500. He fuppofes like- 
 wife, that if each parilh of Scotland hac} 
 twenty hives in May, the amount of the 
 eight hundred parifhes would be 1 6,000. 
 Suppofing each of thefe hives to throw out 
 one fwarm in September, we fhould have 
 32,000. On thefe principles, with proper 
 management and tolerable feafons, in the 
 fpace of feven years the frocks would in- 
 creafe from 32,00.0 to 2,048,000; and after 
 his draw-backs, his loweft eflin^ate is a clear 
 
 million, 
 
POSTSCRIPT. 255 
 
 million, producing 4,000,000 pints of ho- 
 ney, and 1,000,000 pounds of wax. 
 
 On the fuppofition that bees will increafe 
 double every year, and therefore that five 
 hives the firft year may increafe to ten the 
 fecond year, &c. I will not difpute : but 
 will there be double the quantity of honey and 
 wax f I doubt, not : for, fuppofing the five 
 hives (the bees of them) can only collect 
 from the vicinage, as far as their flight for 
 pafturage ufually extends, enough to fill 
 their five hives ; the fecond year being 
 increafed to ten, the fame quantity of flowers 
 will only yield the fame quantity of honey, 
 admitting the feafon fimilar to the firft. I 
 infer, therefore, that the produce will be no 
 more, though double the number of bees. 
 To this we may add (which B. acknow* 
 ledges) tha| feafons are often bad; rendering 
 hives impoyerifhed inftead of increafing,and 
 that they often die in the winter. The fecond 
 link of this golden chain being broke, down 
 falls the whole mafs of honey and wax ap- 
 pending thereto, and there I leave it. 
 
 No ! fay its advocates, that is not fair ! 
 We can increafe the flowers in proportion 
 
 to 
 
2$6 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 to the number of bees. Can the cottagers 
 extend their land? or will they extirpate 
 from their little allotment the vegetables of 
 their daily fupport, to give place for bee- 
 flowers ? Will gentlemen (whom B. chiefly 
 addreflfes) plough up their grafs and corn 
 lands, to cultivate fuch flowers ? Surely 
 corn and cattle are of more value than ho- 
 ney ! We had better be without honey than 
 bread. But B. has a refource in heath, 
 which covers, he fays, more than half of 
 Britain ! If true, I am forry to hear it ; 
 and hope moft part of it will fpeedily be 
 ploughed up for corn, though it mould 
 prove the ruin of this new plan of increafing 
 of bees. I fhould fooner prefer Virgil's me- 
 thod of raifing bees from a dead heifer, or 
 of Sampfon's procuring honey from a dead 
 lion. 
 
 I fincerely hope, as Mr. B. has been a 
 practitioner for twenty- fix years, he has 
 accumulated a fnug fortune, to compenfate 
 for his labours and ingenious difcoveries. 
 But as his native land fo much abounds in 
 white clover, heath, furze, &c. it is wonder- 
 ful that honey fells at ten-pence and twelve^ 
 
 pence 
 
POSTSCRIPT* 257 
 
 pence per pound, at Edinburgh. It is alfo 
 obfervable, that he gives no account of the 
 produce of his own apiary, and only five 
 inftances of other perfons', of whom he 
 bought honey and wax. To one, in parti- 
 cular, he paid five pounds for one hive, 
 which was weighed in the market- houfe 
 of Edinburgh ; but unluckily he omits the 
 weight or dimenfions of the hive. The read- 
 er, therefore, is left to his own calculations. 
 
 Mr. B. befides his grand refource of flow- 
 ers, relies on preferving the bees of the flocks 
 taken, and uniting them with the flocks 
 left. 
 
 I think his ingenious method of fwarm- 
 ing deferves a place here ; and I recom- 
 mend it to a trial* as it will be too late for 
 me to do it. My work, I hope, will be 
 printed before the feafon arrives; and" my 
 age, and increasing infirmities, forbid a 
 longer delay. 
 
 " Suppofe one drive all the bees out of a 
 " hive, and thereby make an artificial /warm* 
 " If the old hive has a royal cell in it, by 
 4< introducing into it about five thoufand 
 *< bees, they will hatch out the young queen, 
 5 " with 
 
2^8 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 '* with all the eggs and nymphs in the cells, 
 " and render it a flourifhing hive. The 
 " method of introducing the common bees 
 " is as follows : Let a ftrong out-lying hive 
 " be removed from its ufual fituation, about 
 "ten A. M. and place the hive that has no 
 " bees on the fpot where it flood ; the bees, 
 ** on their return from the fields, will enter 
 " it, and finding plenty of honey, and abun- 
 " dance of eggs, will rear up the young bees 
 " with great alacrity." But here it may 
 be aikedy Suppofe there happens to be no 
 royal ceU in the old hive, how are we to 
 proceed ? On my plan, inftead of driving, I 
 would fumigate them out; then infpect whe- 
 ther there is a royal cell ; and, if not, return 
 the bees into the hive. But if there is a 
 royal cell, cover the hive of fumed bees with 
 a cloth, and let an affiftant take it to fome 
 diftance. In the mean time, carefully exa- 
 mine the old hive, to be allured that the 
 queen is not left behind among the combs, 
 as fhe is frequently one of the laft that falls. 
 Being fatisfied on this point, place it on its 
 original fland. The bees, on their return, &c. 
 — The hive with the famed bees mould be 
 
 confined 
 
POSTSCRIPT. 259 
 
 confined till night, to be certain that the 
 queen is with them ; for, if not, they will 
 foon fhew it by their uproar, and, in confe- 
 quence, muft be taken before the ftock, and 
 fet bottom upwards. But if they remain 
 quiet till night, take them to a very confi- 
 derable diftance, in another garden or field. 
 An empty hive mould be fet in lieu of the 
 combed hive, during the operation, to amufe 
 the bees as they return from the fields. 
 
 As Mr, B. approves the Shirachean doc- 
 trine of a , common egg being capable of 
 becoming a queen by the nurfing of the 
 workers, why fhould he infill: on there be- 
 ing a royal cell in the hive ? when common 
 eggs would ferve the purpofe ; only caufing 
 a delay of a few days before a young 
 queen, fo reared, would be capable of laying 
 
 eggs. 
 
 Another method he gives of artificial 
 fwarming is, " to take all the bees out of 
 " the hive, and put into it a confiderable 
 <c number of common bees, who will hatch 
 " out the brood, and rear them, and often 
 " fucceed very well. But this plan is liable 
 " to fome imperfe&ions 3 for, from the time 
 S 2 " the 
 
260 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 " the old queen is taken away till the young 
 " one is fit to lay eggs, will be twenty-five 
 " days; during which fpace not a fingle 
 64 egg can be laid. To which add eighteen 
 44 days more, before the eggs can be of any 
 " fervice. It is evident that the beft part 
 " of the honey feafon will be over, and 
 " confequently, by autumn, the hive cannot 
 " be replenifhed with bees. If I intend to 
 44 kill a hive of bees in autumn, it feems 
 44 beft to take away the queen at the end of 
 eS July, leaving a great number of bees in 
 * 4 the hive, which, having but few bees to 
 44 nurfe up, would collecl; a greater quantity 
 44 of honey in that period, than if they had 
 44 a queen to lay eggs."- — - — 
 
 " In the fpring, having two hives that 
 " had but few bees in each, I put the bees 
 " of one hive into the other, fufpecting, as 
 44 they had both bred flowly, there might 
 44 be a defed in one of the queens ; and 
 44 hoping that, by putting them together, 
 44 the lead healthy would have been killed ; 
 64 but the workers of both hives kindly 
 44 united. On turning up the hives twenty 
 44 minutes after, I perceived a few bees cluf- 
 
 " tered 
 
POSTSCRIPT. 261 
 
 u tered together. On a clofe infp^ction, I 
 4 obferved the two queens ftruggling toge- 
 " ther with the utmoft fury. Being afraid 
 " of the ruin of both, I feparated them, and 
 <s kept them afunder, though they ran with 
 " great fury along the table in fearch of 
 " each other. I then took the one that 
 44 appeared the boldeft, and put her again 
 M into the hive, where fhe was kindly re- 
 " ceived. When a duel takes place between 
 " two queen-bees, the workers commonly 
 44 kill one of the queens themfelves." 
 
 " In November, December, and January, 
 ' bees eat very little food, as any perfon 
 " may be convinced by weighing their 
 " hives in the beginning and end of thefe 
 <c months. But if he will weigh a hive in 
 ¥ the beginning of March, and like wife at 
 " the end, he will find a confiderable de- 
 " creafe ; for the bees, having now much 
 " exercife, eat more honey in that month 
 u than during the three cold ones, and 
 44 three times as much in May as in March, 
 " owing to the increafe of brood. 
 
 " In a mild winter they eat more 
 
 < 4 than in a cold one, which enables them to 
 
 $ 3 " hatch 
 
262 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 " hatch earlier ■, and increafe the number of 
 " bees in the hive. In a very cold winter 
 " many flocks die ,* whereas, in a mild one, 
 u very few. In the midfl of a fevere froft 
 et I have often feen my hives with young 
 ** brood in them : they are, therefore, not 
 " inactive, but breed even before they carry 
 .'* in loads." 
 
 " About Lammas, thofe who live where 
 " bee vegetation is early over, efpeciaily if 
 " they keep numerous hives, ought to re- 
 " move them to the neighbourhood of heath 
 " grounds, if they mould be even fix or 
 t6 eight miles diftance ; and allow them to 
 " continue in that fituation till the heath is 
 " out of bloom. The rifk is, if the wea- 
 " ther turn out bad in Auguft, the trouble 
 " will be loft." [Is there no rifk of robbers?] 
 <s When bees are placed in a new fituation, 
 ci they fhould not be permitted to come out 
 * c of their hive for the firft time in cold wea- 
 " ther, but kept clofe prifoners for a day or 
 " two, or many will be chilled to death in 
 ," fearching for their new fettlements." 
 
 " Very little ground will keep many bees 
 rt abundantly at work. One acre of land 
 
 " would 
 
postscript. z6y 
 
 s would not be overftocked with twenty 
 
 4 hives, and, consequently, the twentieth 
 
 " part of an acre would keep one /"—[This 
 
 ftatement feems vague and uofatisfac- 
 
 tory.] 
 
 " Swarms fhould be covered with a cloth 
 " till the heat of the day is abated, left they 
 " fhould be urged to rife. 
 
 " Nor fhould it be omitted to keep a watch 
 " over them, as they fometimes rife after 
 " being two or three hours in the hive, and 
 " though they had begun to work — perhaps 
 * c to fettle in another place they had previ- 
 <{ oufly prepared. Sometimes, though fel- 
 " dom, a fwarm will fly off, notwithstanding 
 *' every method that can be ufed to prevent 
 " it. This happens only in very calm wea- 
 *' ther, when bees have had liberty, fome 
 " days before fwarming, to roam about in 
 " fearch of a habitation to their liking; 
 " which if once they find, it is difficult, and 
 " often impoffible, to prevent them from 
 " emigrating to it, 
 
 " If the rays of the fun have been inter- 
 
 " cepted by a cloud, or ihower of rain, in 
 
 *' the time of fwarming, the fwarms will 
 
 S4 M P ro ' 
 
204 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 u probably be finall, as preventing the 
 " greater part from iffuing. In which cafe, 
 *' let the fwarm be placed where the mother 
 " hive flood, for about a quarter of an hour ; 
 " in which time the bees that are returning 
 < c from the fields, will foon make the fwarm 
 " large enough ; and then the fwarm mould 
 " be removed to a mile diflance, to pre- 
 *' vent the bees from going to the old flock. 
 *' When bees are feparated from their mo- 
 *' ther hive by driving, or when the hive is 
 • ' fhifted from where it formerly flood, they 
 " are infenfible of the change, and always 
 *' fly back to their former ftation ; for which 
 " reafon, every artificial fwarm, or rein- 
 " forced hive, is to be fet at a conflderable 
 " diflance." — [Would not removing them to 
 a dark room, and confining them a day or 
 two, produce the like effect ?] 
 
 " A fwarm that efcapes from the apiary 
 " to a habitation they have previoufly 
 ** chofen, ufually fly to it in a diredt line. 
 " The bee-herd ihould run or ride within 
 " fight, of them, as fall as he can ; and if 
 " obftru&ions hinder him, he mould atten- 
 r tively notice the point of the line, and 
 
 " keep 
 
POSTSCRIPT. 265 
 
 ' keep or recover it, to march therein 
 '* ftraight forward, regarding the bufhes and 
 " hedges as he goes, left they mould be fet- 
 " tied thereon. But otherwife the line will 
 " probably lead him to fome apiary, where 
 " he may claim his fwarm. I know for cer- 
 " tain, that a fwarm will not fly a mile to an 
 " empty hive ; whereas they will fly four 
 " miles to take poueilion of an old one with 
 " combs in it." 
 
 It is proper here to remark, that Mr. B. 
 reprefents the fetting of an old hive of combs 
 in a perfon's own garden, or apiary, as a 
 fraudulent practice ; as fuch hives may al- 
 lure his neighbour's fwarms to fettle therein. 
 So may a field of good pafture allure his 
 neighbour's cattle or fheep to feed thereon. 
 What, then, muft he not have better paftur- 
 age than thofe in his vicinity ? If ftrange bees 
 vifit his hive, which he fet, bona fide, to 
 entice his own fwarms, mould any efcape 
 unperceived, and his neighbour's bees take 
 pofieffion of it, without being followed by 
 a perfon who faw them rife, he feems to 
 have a good title to keep them ; for who 
 can fwear whofe property they were ? They 
 
 mould 
 
266 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 fhould have been better watched. The Jofs 
 they deferve for their negligence, which I 
 hope will make all bee-owners more care- 
 ful in this point, if for no other reafon. No 
 honeft perfbn will refufe the reftoration, if 
 they can make good their claim. If a 
 perfon fets fuch hives with a view of tre- 
 panning his neighbour's fwarms, it is cer- 
 tainly wicked. The motive conftitutes the 
 crime. 
 
 " Driving of bees, to make artificial 
 " fwarms," Mr. B. obferves^ tc is very pro- 
 " fitable, when properly performed by fk.il— 
 " ful bee-majiers ; yet it always has been, 
 '*' and ever will be, deftru£tive to bees, if 
 " performed by unfkilful perfons. And, 
 " indeed, all new beginners may be almoft 
 " certain of ruining fome hives in their at- 
 " tempts." 
 
 T. Wildman corroborates the aflertion, 
 by faying, " It is an art not fpeedily attain- 
 " ed ; yet, till it is, the deftruction of many 
 " hives mud be the confequence, as every 
 " one will find, on their firft attempts to 
 " perform it/' To which truth, J. K. fets 
 his feal ! 
 
 .Mr, 
 
POSTSCRIPT*. 267 
 
 Mr. Bonner, it feems, has been a bee- 
 ftianager from his youth ; and is now a 
 profeffor of the art, and proffers his fer- 
 vice to the gentry of his country, who may 
 be defirous of his affiftance. He appears to 
 be a fuccefsful pupil of the elder Wildman* 
 and like him enumerates feveral manoeuvres 
 that he can perform, &c. but he does not, like 
 Wildman, divulge the fecret of how, which 
 he refer ves for his own ufe. However, we 
 may fhrewdly guefs, that it is by means 
 of the bee-drefs, by driving, and by the ma- 
 nagement of the queen-bee ; by which, to 
 my thinking, any intelligent perfon, con- 
 verfant in practice, may eafily do the like, 
 if any one would compenfate him for 
 his time and trouble of amufing them, 
 which is the only ufe thefe feats feem adapt- 
 ed for. 
 
 In a few words — Notwithstanding Mr. 
 B. confidently affures his readers, that his 
 plan is " no chimera, or Will the wifp" 
 many of them, perhaps, may require more 
 folid proofs on which to eftabliiri fuch an 
 idea. The more wonderful any thing of- 
 fered for pur belief is, the ftronger mould be 
 
 4 the 
 
268 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 the evidence. It feems requifite they fhould 
 know what number of frocks B. as well as 
 fome of his principal pupils, keep : the 
 quantity of ground fown with bee vegetables 
 on purpofe : what the quantity of wild 
 bee flowers is in the circuit of their flight : 
 and what the produce is, on an average, for 
 feveral years, &c. Till this is done, thofe 
 that have little faith, but much reafon, will 
 fill doubt, if not dijbelieve. 
 
 INDEX, 
 
INDEX. 
 
 A 
 
 Pa ere 
 
 Adapter - - 126 
 Age of Bees - 57 
 Amateurs, Box for - 242 
 Apiary, the Situation for 22 
 , the belt Manage- 
 ment of - 25 
 Aromatic Flowers good for 
 
 Bees - ij x 
 
 Artificial Swarming 114 
 
 B 
 Bee Boxes, to make 42 
 
 Drefs, to make 19 
 
 Flowers, a Lift of 146 
 
 Houfe - 50 
 
 Bees, their Age - 57 
 
 „ Numbers, Weight, 
 
 and Meafure - 92 
 
 . , to find m Woods 117 
 
 , on the Salvation of 122 
 
 , will not quit a Hive 
 
 that has Brood in 136 
 
 ■ , how rendered Tame 142 
 
 , Britain thinly flock- 
 ed with - - 143 
 , nice in their Selec- 
 tion - - HJJ 
 
 : , Diftance they fly to 
 
 collea - 1 53 
 
 • , the Quantity of Ho- 
 ney confumed in Winter 169 
 
 , Why a Stock m- 
 
 creafcs more in propor- 
 
 Page 
 
 tion if kept from Swarm- . 
 ing - - - 59 
 
 Bees, have a Natural Im- 
 pulfe to Swarm 73 
 
 , Decreafe of in Win- 
 ter - - Ta 
 
 , reduced to a Quart 
 
 in Winter - 12] 
 
 , to judge of a Situ- 
 ation that will be pro- 
 
 ductive 
 
 T 4- 
 
 ■ , to be kept warm in 
 
 Winter - - 164. 
 
 Borage, the King of Flow- 
 ers - - 151 
 
 Boxes, Show, for Amateurs 242 
 
 Brood Combs, how to treat 136 
 
 , the Prelerv- 
 
 ation of - - 159 
 
 Breeding begun - 73 
 
 C 
 
 Casts, the Advantage of, 
 (fee Swarms) - 141 
 
 Cells Royal, defcribed 3 
 
 Cottagers, to affift one an- 
 other in the Loan of 
 Bees - - 144 
 
 . Method of Fum- 
 ing - - 221 
 
 , of Sepa- 
 ration, or Taking 231 
 
 _ . to double 
 
 Hives 85 
 
 Commons, 
 
8/° 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Page 
 Commons, Heaths, and 
 Woods, near, bell Situ- 
 ation for Bees - 145 
 D 
 Deprivation, Directions 
 
 for - - 13.3 
 
 2* , beft Time 
 
 for - 137- 139 
 
 — — , General, 
 
 Time for - 137 
 
 , of fingle 
 
 Hives - - 137 
 
 , = , the' Me- 
 thod of 227 
 
 ■ , General, 
 
 how - - 228 
 
 Difcoveries - 8 
 
 Dividers defcribed - 45 
 
 , Obiervations 
 
 thereort - 47 
 
 , to ufe - 224 
 
 Difeafes of Bees - 158 
 
 to prevent - 162 
 
 Doors, to manage 64. 69 
 
 Drones defcribed - 4 
 
 , , their Brood 4 
 
 — , proper Treatment 
 
 of - 81 
 
 — , improper, do. 82 
 
 — ~, their firft Appear- 
 ance 83 
 -, do not always pre- 
 
 cede Swarms 
 
 Driving of Bees, the Me- 
 thod of 240 
 
 Duplets, will not be work- 
 ed in till wanted - 66 
 
 . ■ , how long to 
 
 itand - 140 
 
 ■. — , when to put on 63 
 
 to take oft" 63 
 
 , when a Swarm 
 
 wanted from - 90 
 
 — — , to Storifv " 0,26 
 
 Page' 
 Duplets, to Separate 229 
 
 ... — , when expedient 
 to remain all the Winter 135 
 E 
 Enlargement, a timely 65 
 Enemies of Bees - 177 
 
 Eftimate, mowing the fu- 
 perior Profit from Stori- 
 fying - <! - 60 
 
 Extraction of Wax 188 
 
 F 
 Farina, its Nature 148 
 
 Feeding of Bees 165 — 17J 
 
 Signs of Poverty 166 
 
 Inftruments for 166 
 
 Public - 167 
 
 Fumigation, Inftruments 
 for - - 213 
 
 , Materials for 216 
 
 , the Method of 2 20 
 
 , Cottagers Me- 
 thod of - 221 
 G 
 Glasses, the moft proper 126 
 
 , Obfervations on 127 
 
 129 
 
 39 
 
 3* 
 37 
 
 — — •- , Management 
 
 H 
 
 Hackels, to make 
 
 Hives, to make 
 
 , for Cottagers 
 
 , upon an Emergency 72 
 
 , only a third left for 
 
 Bees when filled with 
 Combs - - 84 
 
 -. , how to Hive Bees in 104 
 
 , on the Body of a 
 
 Tree 
 
 , on the Branches 
 
 , on a hollow Tree 
 
 , in a Room 
 
 107 
 
 108 
 109 
 112 
 
 — , to know when nearly 
 filled - - 133 
 
 — — , to judge of their 
 Weight, kc. - 140 
 
 Hive 
 
INDEX. 
 
 271 
 
 Page 
 Hive of a larger Size than 
 
 O 
 
 Pag 
 
 common recommended Orchards of little ufe to 
 
 for the Single Method" 6% Bees - - j^ 
 
 , Preparation of 94 Outliers of a Triplet 67 
 
 in July- 
 
 Hot Summer melts the 
 Combs - - 72 
 
 Honey, a quick Importation 
 of - ■' - 6$ 
 
 • fcanty in bad Sea- 
 
 fons - - 140 
 
 , Extraction of 185 
 
 , Obfervations on 195 
 
 Combs, Virgin, 
 
 ■ in general, the 
 
 Caufe of - 83 
 
 -, how prejudicial 84 
 
 , cannot be made 
 
 a Swarm of 84 88 
 
 — , added to a weak 
 
 Stock - - 236 
 
 P 
 
 Errors about 
 
 , of bad Quality 194 
 
 , how to judge of 196 
 
 < ,its difagreeingQ.ua- 
 
 lities - - 197 
 
 • , Dews, their Na- 
 ture - - 155 
 I 
 Idlers of Duplets 67 
 
 ■ , that do not lie 
 
 out - - 67 
 
 , not to be fuffered 66 
 
 ■ , of a Triplet 67 
 
 — — — , though not full 68 
 Increafe by Storifying 57 
 
 L 
 Land, wafte, to improve by 
 
 Bee Plants - 154 
 
 Lift of Bee Flowers 146 
 
 Lying out, Reafon of 84 
 
 , what delays them 
 
 from Swarming 85 
 
 M 
 Mead, to make 199 
 
 -— — , a new Method of 
 hning - - 200 
 
 , ufeful Obfervations 
 
 201 — 203 
 N 
 Nadir Hives, to Ma- 
 nage - 5 6 4- <>7 
 
 192 Pasturage, defcribed 143 
 
 -, in great Quan- 
 tities together 147 
 , Farina, Ob- 
 fervations on 148 
 what Diftance 
 
 the Bees fly to collect 1^3 
 Princely, often not ready 
 when Bees want to 
 Swarm - - 84 
 -, when too nume- 
 rous - - 89. 99 
 
 , unimpregnated, 
 
 will be deferted 90 
 
 Puffs for fuming, defcribed 216 
 
 Purchasing of Bees, Rules 
 
 and Cautions for 26 
 
 Q 
 
 Queen defcribed 1 
 
 ■ , to diftinguifh 2 
 
 , her Fecundity 3 
 
 , Royal Brood 3 
 
 , of her laying Eggs 58 
 
 — , , dying in the Sum- 
 mer - - 71 
 
 1 in Winter 72 
 
 , are not alike Fruit- 
 ful - 76 
 
 , deficient in Royal 
 
 Brood - - ' 78 
 
 , to Captivate 235 
 
 Queen, 
 
a ?fc 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Page 
 Queen, infertile - 68. 
 
 Queenlefs Stock added to 
 another - 23 7 
 
 R 
 Removing of Bees 30- 
 
 Rules, General 104. 211 
 
 S 
 Salvation of Bees 122 
 
 > , not beneficial 
 
 for {ingle Hives 1 23 
 
 Sea Water, Bees diiregard 2^ 
 Seafon veiy dry, why bad 7 8 
 
 , what Confequence 79 
 
 ■ , wet and cold 69. 79. 139 
 
 Show Box, to make 242 
 
 , Obfervations on 244 
 
 , Management of 246 
 
 Situation, poor, its Confe- 
 quence 6g 
 
 , good 144, 145 
 
 75 
 74 
 94 
 60 
 12 
 
 *6 
 
 7° 
 7° 
 
 Spring, when bad 
 
 , when good 
 
 Spleets, proper ones 
 Statement of Profit 
 Stinging of Bees 
 • , Remedies for 
 
 Stock, that has fwarmed 
 
 • , to recruit 
 
 , additional, when 
 
 wanted • - 80 
 , to fupply with 
 
 Drones - - 81 
 
 : , to replenish \vi*h 
 
 Bees 70 
 , weak, Di fad vantage 
 
 of 
 
 - — , reduced to a Quart 
 in Winter - 11 
 
 75 
 
 Storifying, the Method of ^6 
 , does not prevent • 
 
 Swarming - ^9 
 , its Superiority 
 
 to other Methods 60 
 , other Particu- 
 
 Page 
 lars in which it ex- 
 cels - - 62 
 Storifying, Indications for 63 
 
 ■ , the Manner of 226 
 
 . ■ , of a Triplet 227 
 
 Swarms, the Nature of 73 
 
 -, the Advantage of a 
 mild Spring - 74 
 
 , the'beft Time 76 
 
 , when the Bees are 
 
 reluctant - 77 
 
 , may rife in a cold 
 
 Spring - - 77 
 
 -, the Number from 
 
 a Hive - - 78 
 
 , why few, or none 78 
 
 -, why fmall, from 
 
 fingle Hives 
 
 -, Woods favourable 
 
 for 
 
 for 
 
 -, Wet Seafons bad 
 
 79 
 
 79 
 
 3 after, to be returned 79 
 
 — -, diferiminating 
 
 Reafons to judge by 80 
 
 , a Method of dou- 
 bling for Cottagers 8jJ 
 
 , Succefs of Bees de- 
 pends on the Swarms 86 
 
 — , ftrict watching ne- 
 
 cefiary - - 87 
 
 • , miftaken Notions 
 
 about - - 88 
 
 -, Signs of 88 
 
 , a Sign of a prime 
 
 Swarm's Eicape 89 
 
 , how with feveral 
 
 Princeffes - 89 
 
 , Duplets to have 
 
 both Doors open 90 
 
 , Princefs not readv 
 
 for - - 88.91 
 
 •, a Sign that Bees 
 
 9 1 
 
 Swarms 
 
 want to 
 
I N D E X. 
 
 273 
 
 Page 
 Swarms r fiy with the Wind 91 
 —- , to judge which is 
 
 a good Swarm - 91 
 
 , Hiving of _ 93 
 
 , Preparation of 
 
 Hives for - - 94 
 
 , tinkling neceffary 95 
 
 , of prime 96 
 
 : , of divers Prin- 
 
 ceiTes with one 98, 99 
 
 , ftray - 100 
 
 , of cluftering di- 
 
 verfely - 100 
 
 , Artificial 114 
 
 , the Method of 
 
 uniting with the Stock 232 
 
 , or with each other ' 234 
 
 « what Situations 
 
 produce moft 
 , fingle Hives 
 
 7< 
 
 pro- 
 
 duce too many y o 
 
 , early, when beft 80 
 
 , the Suddennefs of 8 7 .93 
 
 , what occafions the 
 
 Lofs of - - 87, 88 
 
 ,fettlingon a Perfon 10 1 
 
 , to decoy 100 
 
 Summary of Monthly Ma- 
 nagement - - 204 
 
 T Page 
 
 Thefts, and Wars 172 
 
 Signs of 173.174 
 
 , to manage 174 
 
 Tinkling neceffary in the 
 
 Hiving of Bees 75 
 
 Triplets, Outliers of 67 
 
 , when to take 133. 140 • 
 
 , to Storify 227 
 
 , to deprive 63. 227 
 
 U 
 Uniting Swarms with the 
 
 Stock - - 232 
 weak Stocks in 
 
 Autumn - 238 
 of Swarms with 
 
 one another 99. 234 
 with their Mo- 
 ther Stock - 232 
 W 
 Wax, what drawn from 149 
 Watching indifpenfable 87 
 Wafps Enemies to Bees 1 79 . 
 Weight and Meafure of Bees 92 
 Winter, Bees to be kept 
 
 warm in - - 162- 
 Woods, good for early 
 
 Swarming - 79 
 
 Workers defcribed 6 • 
 
 — — — their Brood 4 
 
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