S F -2--^^-- w. c^M?" ♦. ibvaty of ^cngfc^js. luNITED STATES OF AMERICA. V €■2-^^ m9 ^■^A*^^^<^ <^ i.^ c w— -^ « :^^^ /^-^^ AN E S SAY PRACTICABILITY OF CULTIVATING THE HOJVE Y BEE, IN MARITBIE TOWNS AND CITIES, AS A SOURCE OF DOMESTIC ECONOMY AND PROFIT. ^&> v-;. BY JEROxME V. C. SMITH, M. D BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY PERKINS AND MARVIN. NEW YORK : J. LEAVITT. 1831. Entered according to act of Congress, in tlie year 1831, by Perkins & Marvijv, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. PREFACE. The following' Essay had its origin in consequence of giving a discourse the past winter, on the economy of the Honey Bee, at the Alhenteum lecture room, before the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. Many practical observations and interesting physiological facts might have been added, which are purposely withheld, for the present, with a hope that further experience may give them more intrinsic value. This little work is not designed to interfere with those publi- cations on the Honey Bee already before the public ; nor is it supposed, even by the writer, to possess very high claims to patronage. Dr. Thacher's treatise is the best which has been published in this countr}', and when revised, and republished, as speedily anticipated b}' the author, may be considered the first manual of the kind, as respects utility, in the United Stales. The object of the Essay will be understood by reading the book. Quarantine Ground, Port of Boston, April, 1831. CONTENTS. Page. Preface, 6 Introductory Remarks, 9 Method of beginning an Apiary in town, 15 Localities for Bees in Cities, 19 Plan and Elevation of an Ornamental Bee-house in the form of a prostyle temple, for glass hiveS; .... 24 Swarming, 25 Transferring Bees from one Hive to another, 32 Mode of constituting a profitable family hive, 39 The Bee-Moth, 41 To extract Honey from the Comb, in quantities, .... 45 To prepare Wax, after taking out the Honey, .... 45 Method of managing Stock Bees in winter, 46 To bleach yellow wax, 50 Method of relieving the pain, on being slung, 50 Method of supplying Bees with fresh water, 61 Method of marking particular Bees, in and out of the hive, in order to ascertain their specific employments, . . 52 Anatomy of the Honey Bee, 54 Parts which can be distinctly seen under the microscope, . 55 Physiology of the Bee, 59 The Poison of Bees, 59 The Anger of Bees, 61 Language of Bees, 64 Vlll CONTENTS. Page. Sleep of Bees, 66 Longevity of Bees, 67 Dr. Tliaclier's Letter to the Editor of the New England Farmer, 71 Dr. Smith's Letter to Dr. Thacher, 72 Dr. Thacher to Dr. Smith, 87 Mrs. Griffith to Dr. Thacher, i 85 Mrs. Griffith to Dr. Thacher, 91 Remarks on Bees, by the Editor of the Vermont Chronicle, 97 Appendix. Description of Dr. Thacher's Hive, 101 " " airs. Griffith's Hive, 103 " " the Frontispiece, 104 '* " the Bee-house on p. 24, 105 THE CULTIVATION OF BEES IN LARGE TOWNS AND CITIES. It Aras the opinion of Huish, a distinguished English writer on Bees, in 1817, that within the circumference of ten miles of London, ample pro- vision might be found for the support of ten thou- sand liives. The same remark is applicable to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Albany, &-c., and yet, there is not, probably, five hundred swarms in the immediate vicinity of all these cities. An opinion is prevalent that nothing exists in a paved town, from which this industrious insect could select even enough for the support of its own domicile : this is an error, which one object of this essay is to correct, and thus prepare the way for a source of domestic economy, even in the country almost entirely neg- lected, and in maritime towns never attended to at all, because it is wholly unknown. 1 10 CULTIVATION OF BEES. When the fact is understood, that bees go much greater distances in search of their appropriate materials, than is generally supposed, it will, at least, be one testimony in favor of housing them in town, as they bring from a distance, to their master's door, the sweets of distant districts. Several mistaken writers agree in remarking, that in foraging, bees rarely go more than a mile or a mile and a half from home ; this, my own ex- perience proves to be otherwise. On an island in Boston harbor is a hive of bees, in a flourishing condition, whose range cannot be less than three and four miles, in order to procure their full store. The island on which they are located has but few flowers at any time, and on the whole, presents, to the apiarian, a forbidding aspect. Notwithstanding these discouraging circumstances, the quantity of honey, from season to season, has been unexpect- edly large, and must, therefore, have been procured from neighboring islands as well as the main land. The nearest island, is one mile : on another, about one mile and a half distant, honey bees have been observed, in great plenty, when the white clover is in blossom. Indeed, a farmer informed me that he had repeatedly seen them arrive and depart for the island on which they so unexpectedly thrive. Hull, a small town, is at the distance of two miles, and Quincy about four, — from each of which places, judging from the numbers of returning bees, over CULTIVATION OF BEES. 1 1 the broad expanse of water, heavily laden with farina and honey, their burthens must have been brought. This relation at least shows that when obliged, by necessity, bees travel to considerable distances, — and also proves, that in cities, provided there were no flowerets for them to visit, they would go in search of them in the environs. But all cities have gardens, and some of them are of such extent, in Boston, particularly, that, unaided by the mil- lions of flowers, flourishing under every window, or springing up on the borders of the beautiful common, in my opinion, they would sustain, alone, a large number of hives. Again, there are an immense number of trees, in all cities, by the public walks, and in the grounds of all valuable estates, and in sufficient abundance too, to sustain, without cultivated gardens, hives enough to supply a portion of the population with a moderate quantity of honey. But when the trees exhaling sweet dews, the shrubbery, the flower gardens and the thousands of flower pots, yielding a rich perfume, are taken into consideration, it must be evident, that the paved city oflfers no objections to the successful and pro- fitable cultivation of the honey-bee. If any de- monstration is required, it need only be said that I have repeatedly exhibited a glass hive, containing 12 CULTIVATION OF BEES. over one hundred pounds, which was made in the heart of Boston, in a few summer weeks. Were it only for the gratification arising from the inspection of such a wonder-working- insect, the man of leisure would be amply compensated for the attention he might bestow on a hive, as a curiosity, had he no higher motive. Their untiring industry would constantly admonish the indolent, that by ^^ industry we thrive," and perhaps, prompt some to make exertion, if in nothing else, in raising bees, — as there is always a prospect of gain, independent of their own personal labor. Again, in large commercial towns, there are men of overgrown fortunes, who, on retiring from the active business of life, with the expectation of enjoying the remnant of their days, find themselves unexpectedly disappointed in every attempt to be happy : the secret of their misery is this, — an idle man is always miserable. To such gentlemen, I would strongly urge the culture of the bee. — If they were not fond of the product, give it to the poor: — if they were not philosophers, they would insensibly, as apiarians, find themselves studying the great volume of nature, whose fair page has never before arrested their attention ; — and if any one should have the misfortune to be a skeptic or even tinctured with infidelity, his contemplations, on the habits and economy of the little honey-bee, would, at once, settle all his doubts. CULTIVATION OF BEES. J 3 Another inducement for engaging in the culti- vation of bees, in cities, arises from the consider- ation of the fact, that an ample return is speedily made for any moderate expenditure of money, in a most excellent, wholesome kind of food, at a rate, so much below an ordinary market price, as to make it an object, even with the ricli. To the middling classes of cities, — the truly laborious, who might, and who can attend to the raising of honey, without at all interfering with their ordinary business, this would, in the end, were it not a source of profit, be, at least, an easy mode of procuring a luxury. I am perfectly con- vinced that the laboring man can supply his family with rich, pure virgin honey, through the year, at less than one cent a pound, after he has sold enough to pay the first cost of his apiary. Honey is a substitute for butter, in some parts of oriental countries; and in this, were it afforded at a rate so moderate, that the poor, — that peculiar class of poor indigenous to cities, could afford to purchase, it would be a wholesome, useful substitute for butter, a part of the time, and at all seasons, prove a very valuable article in household economy. And lastly, if there were ever a surplus, in any family, it would have a ready sale. By some sad misapprehension, there is an im- pression abroad, that a profitable cultivation of bees, can only be undertaken in the country. One 1* 14 CULTIVATION OF BEES. would suppose, in travelling tliroug-h New Eng- land, that they were wholly unknoAvn, in a great proportion of the large farming towns. Occasion- ally the eye discovers a miserable, poverty-stricken bee-shed, nailed to the gloomy side of some old barn, — tolerated, it Avould seem, by the farmer, as an hereditary appendage to his land, but he is apparently unconscious of the bee's renowned character for patient, profitable labor, even in the service of an unfeeling master. It matters not, whetlier the flowers from which the bee sips its honey, be at the foot of the hive, or in a neighboring village ; wherever they thrive best, there the bee wends its way, with unfailing success. Wild bees, whose home is a hollow limb, in the thickest of the forest, remote from cultivated fields, fill up, in process of time, the whole cylinder of a tree. The accom- plishment of this task, the more surprising, when it is recollected that few or no flowers are growing near, evidences the exceedingly persevering character of the creature under consideration. Enough has been said, though more arguments are still in reser- vation, when required, to convince those who may still have doubts, of the practicability of raising honey in great abundance, in the very heart of our principal cities.* * To (lie overseors of Houses of" Industry, and particularly the select men of country towns, I would urge the estab- lishment of an apiary, which might be exceediiiijly productive, under the careful management of the aged and infirm inmates of such establishments. CULTIVATION OF BEES. 15 Let it be remembered, that wherever the bee may be placed, provided its liberty is unrestrained, whether in the dense, wild forest, the cultivated field, or in the thickly inhabited town, regardless of surrounding- circumstances, it pursues, with un- wearied toil, its characteristic routine of service for the common good, and fills its granary in the calm of summer, against the vicissitudes incident to the changes of seasons. Method of beginning an Apiary in town. In the vicinity of Boston, hives, of the ordinary kind, without regard to the quantity of honey they may contain, or the number of bees constituting the swarm, are sold for eight, nine and ten dollars. The price, with some, appears to be regulated by the size of the wooden box, containing the bees. This, however, is bad for the buyer, as the tremen- dous box may contain only a sickly, impoverished, half starved community, which, instead of supplying the purchaser's wants, or answering his expecta- tions, will be a source of anxiety and vexation. I have been imposed upon in this way, myself, and therefore caution others against a similar imposition. A board hive, some fifteen or eighteen inches square, by six in depth, independent of the top and floor-board, containing bees that appear lively, pour out in active abundance, when irritated, and weigh- 16 CULTIVATION OF BEES. lag in the "whole, from thirty-five to forty pounds. promises very well. The reader must understand, that this weight has reference to the early sprino'. It shows that enough of the old stock of honey remains, to sustain the inmates till the foraging season commences. Six. ten. and at farthest, twenty pounds of honey will feed a large swarm through the winter. The consumption of honey depends, in the first place, on the size of the swarm, and in the second, on the temperature of the weather. Several experi- ments, corroborated by the testimony of writers, shows that there are from 12.000 to 20,000 working bees, or females, and from 1,500 to 2,000 drones, or males, in a thrifty hive ; the number, after all, depending of course, on the magnitude of the box in which they are contained. Dr. Be van, a late writer on the bee, makes a similar estimate. Hives, purchased to begin a town establishment, will be found ill-shapen, rough, unfinished and incon- venient, but it is best to tolerate one of them one year, for the sake of the new swarms tlie follow- ing season, when the parent hive may be dis- pensed with, and the new bees lodged in such habi- tations as will answer the end in view, K, how- ever, the purchaser is adroit and fearless, he may at once drive his bees into a hi^-e. of that peculiar construction, hereafter to be described, from which CULTIVATION OF BEES. 17 he can, with impunity, take for his table, the pro- ceeds of their labors. Sometimes the attempt, by an unskilfiil operator, to shift a swarm from an old to a new hive, pro- duces such excitement and disorder, that they either at once abandon the new habitation, or be- come so discouraged and weakened as to be wholly unprofitable the first year. The proper time for moving hives from the coun- try to the town, or from one village to another, is early in the spring, — though, through all the winter months, when the bees are in that peculiar con- dition bordering on torpidity, which prevents them from resenting unusual commotion, the best oppor- tunities are presented. If necessary, in conse- quence of sudden fires in the vicinity, they can be moved in the heat of summer to other localities, if the precaution is taken to draw a sheet or close sack over the hive, in such a manner that none can escape. This observation is worth remembering, as circumstances, very frequently, perhaps, may compel the owner to move, unexpectedly, his hives at a moment's warning. A canvass case, made with reference to contingencies, would be particu- larly serviceable. If one bee makes its exit, others soon contrive to follow, and nothing can withstand their combined attaeis, when maddened to despera- tion. Should any of them get between the hive and sack, no danger will ensue, as they become 1« CULTDATION OF BEES. quiet as soon the hive is at rest. Proper care should be had to a free ventdlation while moving, as they cannot survive lono' "withont pure, fresh air. Another excellent plan of moving hives safely, from the country, or from place to place in the door yard, consists in having trunk handles screwed to the sides, with which they can be safely carried by two men, without the least motion that would dis- turb the bees."* In case the hive is set in a broad clothes-basket, great precaution is necessary, or it will be upset. In a spring carriage, carefully driven, bees may be conveyed long joumies over the coumay. Such handles are so serviceable, in the course of managing an apiary, that no hive should be without tnem. Instead of closing the door-way, when moving hives, with a block, it should only be covered with coarse gauze or wire cloth, that a free circulation be not impeded. The heat of a middling sized iiive, if closed, is such, that the bees cannot live but a few hours. All in- sects, in proportion to the magnitude of their bodies, * Families in cities are frequeuUv cbau^in^ilieir residences. — but ihii^ is no objeciioii to keeping: bees, as ihe\ may t>e moved ai evening lo any olijei pan of ibe lown. where, on ihe Jo'low- iug monnus' ibey will begin the labors of the day as lijougii no change of placebad been efiecied. In France, bives are car- ried over ine country on spring carnages, for pasturage. Througii the dav. the' vi-aggi«i is ai rest, bat moves onward from ulnce lo place in ibe nigtit. The same ibing is dune in Eg>pi. wuere immense numbers of swarms are kepi in boats, wbicb are floated in the nighu up the ri\er Nile. — resting in the dav-time. CULTIVATION OF EEES. 19 have a peculiar and striking developement of the respiratory organs : on this depends their surprising strength, and power of flying through the air, whilst sustaining a body, equal in weight to their own. Beside, the exhalation from their bodies, is copious, forming drops of fluid in autumn and spring, cours- ing down the sides to the floor. If the highways between the layers of comb are obstructed, as is sometimes the case, with multitudes of inactive bees, the fluid mixes and dilutes the honey, and sweeps off" whole phalanxes of bees by drowning. Localities for Bees in Cities. Without endeavoring to combat the vulgar preju- dice in favor of giving a south or south-western aspect to the bee-house, it is sufficient to remark, that actual experience warrants me in saying that the point of compass towards which the entrance to the hive is turned, is not of the least possible con- sequence. In a city, where dwellings are huddled together, and where spacious front or back yards cannot be afforded, it would be impossible always to give the same aspect to the hive ; fortunately, therefore, their success does not depend on this circumstance ; it has been well ascertained, that wherever breathing animals can exist, the bee may flourish, whether fronting the south or north. If a yard is small, but at the same time dry, that is enough : if, however, there are high brick walls, and a con- Of I CULTTVATiaS' OF BEES. tmual dampnea? ai the bottom, the pJace may be considered nnfavorabk , Wb? "!y coDvenien:. tne Dee-nouse snomc be ere:; . ^..-;r a tree, if ineTf- is one in-aiiT pan of the €nciosirre. as it answers tbe two-fold purpose of b«i»rr a deiisrbtnil shade in smmner. and a Tesrmg' Hre neitoer trees nor sfambberr. tbe cnltivaiOT fibonld lake ibe nre cannon to transDiant sometnmg. if It be noth" -oii-iflowers. irmcn baTe aspeedy orrowtn : ■: ^ tbe yoimr broods, as tbey make tneir esji. findmr Jiothinr prominent on "wiuch. to rest tbe soles of tbeir feet, are apt to rise iifh in tbe arr. and tben take a bonzontal TtitrfiT of several nuies before tbey aligbt. IBem^ Tn img and nnaccnstomed to tbe wmg. tbey are Teadirr mdv er on tbe limb of a ■ tree, if wi-:__. __ aerate dismnce of i-. .._ iiive. Probably tn£ srarret of a ionse. ^vrere it equally cor- woiiic "be tbe best of all places in a CI" ^s."^ TVitL sc maci. room before tbem. iDC Greaeeee Far- joe -riner. m 1ms citj. jn I -^mr've'^ frmrr tin? c o unt v 1r we: CULTIVATION OF BEES. 21 and a few small orifices, through which they mig ht get into the open air, they never would swarm, till the whole garret waa completely stored with comb, an event by no means likely to happen. Hives placed on the high, flat roof of a shed, suitably shaded by a temporary roof of boards, to protect them from the scorching rays of the sun, are always thrifty and healthful. This is owing, probably, to the purity of the atmosphere, at a dis- tance from the ground. The bee is an orderly, systematic insect, exclusively devoted to its own house, and for ihe want ot" a better place he put his swarm of bees iuto the gairet, where they remaiued till spriug:. Amonii^ the many cares of a remove into ihe wildprness. he forgot his bees, and neg'lected to place them out of doors, as is ihe custom ; but wiih the return of spring, and the opening of the wild flowers of the wilderness, they diil not forget their duly, but ' gathered honey every day from every opening flower," until the liive was fall to overflowing. They found abundant passage between the logs of the house. When the hive was full, instead ot' swarming and going off, they merely removed a few feel from the old hive, attached themselves to a log ia the same room, and went to work; others attached themselves to the outside of the hive, and continued their operations in open view in this manner, for several years. When the family wanted honey, they went into the room and broke off what comb they required, witlioui molestation. Having abundant room in the garret, they never left it in swarms. It is probable that the room was nearly dark, but of this I am not informed. From this circumstance, the inhabitants when they build their houses, finish off a small light room, in the garret, or other convenient part of the house, exclusively for the bees, with timbers or braces to which they can attach the comb, having a tight door to the room, to exclude mice, tScc^ and 1 understand they are not molested by ihe bee-moth or miller. I could much enlarge upon this subject, but time does not permit, and it is quite sufficient for a practical maa to improve the hint.'' o 22 CULTIVATION OF BEES. personal concerns ; it is therefore the more impor- tant to give it a station where it will be the least liable to interruptions. In the yard, the remot- est corner would be the most proper spot, at a distance from the pump, if there be one, so that in passing to and fro, the bees would not feel particularly annoyed. When a hive is kept in a state of alarm, by the tormenting ingenuity of mischievous boys, the time in which they would be ranging over the city in search of honey, Avill be lost in defending their premises. Every yard, if it is but ten feet square, has a corner in which a hive may stand safely, and at a sufficient distance, not to be any in- terruption to the family : neither would the family, in a short time, be any interruption to them. How- ever, Avhere there is any repugnance to introducing such a belligerent power into a very small enclo- sure, on account of small children, it would by all means be advisable to set the hive either on a shed or in the garret of the house, — the latter, decidedly the best bee-house that could be con- structed. Most of the preceding remarks, relative to the locality of an apiary, have reference to such tene- ments as are in the occupancy of the poorest classes of citizens, but who possess the appetites of the Avealthy. Farmers, in the country, construct very simple hovels for the protection of their hives, often a mere board, reaching from the ground to the top CULTIVATION OF BEES. 23 rail of a fence. Almost the only object seems to be to prevent the heat of the sun from melting down the flakes of comb. Simple as this contrivance is, it is much better than nothing, yet altogether un- suitable. If water gets through the seams, the honey will not only become diluted, but be washed away. When the hive or the bee-house is poorly built, of shaky boards, or with open joints, the bees are obliged to bestow so much labor in mending up their crazy dwelling, that much valuable time is actually lost to the owner, as the same time, had he done his duty, at first, would have been spent in the more pleasant employment of collecting honey- dew. Any person having ingenuity enough to use a handsaw and hammer, could erect a very comfort- able weather-house, in the course of an hour. Gentlemen, on the other hand, owning pleasant estates, who are not under the necessity of chang- ing their habitations, and who are desirous of com- bining taste with permanent improvements, should have edifices for their hives, corresponding to the appearance of their own dwellings. The apiary under such circumstances, should be particularly ornamental, combining tiie advantages of being an interesting object, constructed, also, to gratify the eye, in watching those delicate operations in the interior of a glass hive, which have so much aston- ished philosophers, from the first records of civilized man, down to the present period. Plan and Elevation of an Oinamontal 'Bee-house, in the form of a prostyle temple, for glass hives. CULTIVATION OF BEES. 25 Various models have been exhibited, for these edifices, denominated prostyle temples, — having an elegant, well proportioned dome, supported on sev- eral neatly wrought pillars. When such a building is made to accommodate only one hive, its diameter on the floor should be not far from four feet, by four or four and a half in height. This should be well framed, particularly if a glass hive, yet to be described, is ever to be placed in it. Cross trees, on the under side, fitted to the top of a cedar post, well and firmly set in the ground, will sustain it against the force of driving storms. The object in elevating the temple, on a single column, is this, viz. : if it were simply placed on the ground, thousands of insects, spiders, moths and noxious worms, attracted by the delicious odour of the new made honey, would eventually storm the hive, and take .possession of the premises. The elevation of about three feet, is convenient for pur- poses of examination : in the next place, creeping vines, rose bushes and other ornamental shrubs can be so planted round the base, that the floor of the temple Avill have the poetical appearance of actually resting on a bed of flowers. Swarming. Such is the order of things, in the economy of the honey-bee, that in the commencement of sum- mer, there is thrown off from the parent hive, one, 2* 26 CULTIVATION OF BEES. two, three, and sometimes four swarms or inde- pendent families of young ones, who immediately, after being housed, commence operations for themselves, or if not molested or secured by arti- ficial management, seek out a secure retreat in hollow trees, fissures of rocks or in the obscure corners of decaying buildings. In anticipation, therefore, of this event, the apiarian should have several new hives on hand, — the construction of which, as will be noticed in the sequel, is of im- mense importance. The sure, indeed, almost un- failing precursors of swarming, are these, viz. : for several days, there is an unusual commotion in the hive : the bees cluster on the lighting board, in front of the entrance, in masses, oftentimes the size of a quart measure, and at night-fall, retire again wdthin, as usual. On the following, or second morning, if the weather is clear, — if the sky is cloudless, the confusion increases to a prodigious degree, and suddenly, a surprising column of bees hurry in one simultaneous movement towards the door, rising in the air, equally suddenly, and within a very few minutes, present the novel spectacle of thousands of bees all on the wing, flying in whirls, — so that the mass resembles, in outline, a globe of some thirty or forty feet in diameter. During this ejection of the children from the parental roof, all business of the ordinary kind, appears to be sus- pended. The old bees dart to and fro, in a most CULTIVATION OF BEES. 27 angry manner, driving the young from the hive, if they attempt returning, when the weather offers no obstructions to the success of the flight, and forcing them further and further from the place of their birth. The young brood continue thus whirl- ing over, or very near the old hive, till all their associates have been assembled in the ring, when, with an unexpected start, to the spectator, the "whole body, unless at the very moment arrested, are lost without redemption. This, indeed, is the trying moment for the apiarian ; if he is successful in obliging them to light, they can be at once housed in a new hive, — which is no sooner accom- plished than good order, even in the new swarm, immediately ensues. The mass begins to climb up the walls, and stragglers constantly arriving, join their lately agitated clansmen. New hives need no other preparatory fixing, than to be clean and tight, — so that light and rain cannot penetrate them. From the middle of May, in this section of the country, to the middle of July, new swarms are given off: this, however, very much depends on the good or bad condition of the stock hive, which has been wintered over. A good hive, and such a one as can be relied upon, contains, on an average, from 12 to 20,000 working bees, which are females ; and from 1,500 to 2,000 drones, or male bees. Early swarms may be anticipated, if there has been a plenty of honey 28 CULTIVATION OF BEES. to sustain the bees through the winter : on the con- trary, if the laborers are few, and they have become debilitated by famine, a late swarm only need be looked for, if one appears at all. Bees very fre- quently supply their losses, after a severe calamity^ by incorporating the young ones into their feeble ranks. Two swarms, for a general rule, may be expected from a hive of the first description. Usually bees swarm from about ten to half past eleven o'clock in the morning, and only in fair weather. Sudden showers of rain will arrest their design at once, even if the whole swarm are getting on the wing. A knowledge of this fact has been seized upon by cultivators, to collect them from the air, in order to cover them with a hive. For this purpose, a large pewter syringe, perfo- rated at the distal extremity, with many holes, like the top of a pepper box, is an admirable instrument for controlling their erratic movements. By throw- ing water into the air pretty freely, and if neces- sary, an assistant should be plying a second one, when the swarm are disposed to be refractory, their wings are wet, and the bees instinctively endeavor to escape the impending danger, by settling doAvn into a solid mass on some prominent or projecting body near by, as the limb of a tree, the top of a post, the corner of the house, brake of a pump, or the back of a chair. When they have fairly lighted, if CULTIVATION OF BEES. 29 they attempt a second flight before the hive is in readiness, the engine must play a few times more, and, indeed, as often as circumstances seem to require, till the process of hiving has been fully completed. Another method, often successfully practised by apiarians, consists in throwing up sand, freely into the air. Whether the bees are induced to light, in consequence of the injuries they are receiving from the stony particles, or in consequence of fright or a presentiment of an approaching storm, has not been determined. It is decidedly most philosophical to resort to the water, which, always, if properly managed, is sufficient to control their movements, just as may be desired. By the wet- ting, they sustain no permanent injury, whereas, by the sand or gravel, they are liable to be both maimed and killed. The vulgar notion that it is necessary to ring bells, rattle tin pans, or blow horns, is based on the supposition that the bee has an ear organized like a man's, and that through this highly developed sense, its mind — its reasoning powers are to be operated upon through the in- fluence of fear ! If they could recognize the hoarse vibrations of many domestic utensils brought into requisition at some country farm houses, in swarming time, there is no doubt they would be frightened! Nothing can be more absurd than 30 CULTrV^\TION OF BEES. this procedure, which does no more towards hous- ing the bee, than it does towards staying the tides. Bees have been known, after having risen in tlieir characteristic manner, to settle, almost in- stantaneously on the head of a person. This cir- cumstance, however, rarely happens, when there are any bushes or projecting points from surround- ing buildings. When such an accident does occur, let the individual be instructed to remain firmly in the spot, without moving his limbs more than may be absolutely necessary, till some one reaches a lighted pipe or cigar, for him to smoke. The odour of smoking tobacco is so intolerably offen- sive, that they are actually obliged to rise immedi- ately or die of suffocation. As the outer circles rise, to keep from the influence of the narcotic vapour of the pipe, they settle, without much pre- liminary ceremony, on the nearest projecting body, let it be what it may. This is the time for secur- ing them within a hive. In the act of swarming, the manager should be cool and collected. Any useless exertion, excit- ing the rapid circulation of the blood, increases in the same ratio the exhalations from the surface of the body, always unpleasant to the honey-bee. The perspiration of the human bod}^ is particularly offensive to the minute organs of the bee. As the perspirable matter is different in different persons, CULTIVATION OF BEES, 31 it at once explains the reasons why they have such strongly marked antipathies to certain individuals. Indeed, this manifestation of dislike towards some persons, is so remarkable, as to give the uncon- scious offenders the strongest prejudices against this interesting architect. I have noticed several seamen, in passing the apiary, as they were on the way to my office, stop for a moment, to a^ atch their proceedings. Almost instantaneously, the bees would pursue some two or three, out of half a dozen, with unrelenting fury, stinging whenever they could get a hit at any part of their bodies : the others, perhaps, might stand viewing them, and, indeed, look into the hive, by raising it, without being even noticed by those, which had been raging after their companions. Should it so happen that a swarm fixes on the limb of a high tree, too large to be sawed off, and lowered conveniently to the ground with ropes, the hive should be slung in the noose of a rope, thrown over a still higher limb, which is a pully, — the lower end of the rope being in the hand of some one at tlie foot. By pulling or slacking, the empty hive may be thus carried within a few inches of the consolidated bees. When every thing is ready, a man in the tree, having a broom or brush made fast to the extremity of a long pole, gently brushes them off, by masses, into the elevated receptacle. Under such circumstances, the bees may be han- 32 CULTIVATION OF BEES. died •with the bare hands, with impunity. The moment the mass has been swept in, the person holding the rope, slacks it, gradually lowering the hive to the ground, where a table is in readiness to receive the hive when inverted. Although the bees may appear to be almost us numerous out, as inside, shortly after it has been set on the table, they become less noisy and more composed. Per- haps many handfulls may cluster on the outside, as though determined not to take up their abode within. If brushed away repeatedly, they finally accept your proposition, and enter the door towards evening. Any refractory conduct may be over- ruled by the syringe and cold Avater. The ingenuity of the cultivator of bees will be frequently called into requisition, in the course of the swarming season. No arbitrary rules can be given which may be implicitly relied upon. Much of the success depends on the calm, fearless man- ner of the manager of these operations. The ex- perience of one year will suggest various processes and improvements, some of them, perhaps at variance with these remarks, but if they promise utility, let them have the preference. Transferring Bees from one Hive to another. The only advantage accruing from this operation, consists in locating the bees in a house, either CULTIVATION OF BEES. 33 more spacious, and convenient to themselves, or in having them in a condition to be inspected, or to obtain their honey. In moving a swarm from an old hive, where they have constructed comb, great caution is necessary. Any one, having a tolerable acquaintance with their general character, may safely undertake the business. If, for instance, a swarm is badly lodged in an old, leaky, decaying box, it is desirable to transfer it to an improved one, or at least, to a hive less under the annoying influence of noxious insects : the best method is to lift off", suddenly, the top board or roof of the old box, if of the com- mon fashion ; if on the other hand, it is constructed of straw, let the top or apex of the hay-stack shaped hive, be quickly sliced off with a broad sharp knife. At the same moment, clap the other hive directly over the opening. Evening is decidedly the best time to perform the operation, from the latter part of March, till about the middle of April. Later than this, would be to the certain destruction of the eggs, which are in the state of rapid growth. Previously to placing the new hive, as directed, the cross rods should be passed through two or three flakes of comb, well filled with honey. The sticks give the pieces support, in the middle of the hive, besides exposing all sides to the bees. As 3 34 CULTIVATION OF BEES. soon as they enter, the comb, thus suspended, appears the first object of their regard. Every thing, then, being in perfect readiness, let a dish be set near the lighting board or threshold, filled Avith burning leather, old shoes, bits of oakum or saw dust, it matters not which, and the smoke blown in at the orifice, by a pair of hand bellows. A very gradual introduction of smoke is all tliat is required, as the bees, as soon as they perceive the existence of the smoke, for the preservation of their lives, creep very quickly towards the upper part of the hive. Finding no obstruction to farther pro- gress, they finally soon arrive where they are de- sired : a shingle, or what is better, a sheet of tin, now slid between the two hives, prevents their return to their original abode. Whenever, as nearly as can be ascertained, a majority have en- tered the new hive, the old one may be taken away, and the new one set down on a table. By plying the smoke freely, the tenacious adherents to the old hive w^ill be forced to leave, and soon join their persecuted fellows. Sometimes, from inexperience or want of tact on the part of the operator, considerable numbers are suffocated: but this is unnecessary and even cruel. With a few puffs of smoke from a pipe, a person accustomed to bees could drive a whole apiary before him. When the bees have surveyed CULTIVATION OF BEES. 35 the interior, and in fact, the exterior also, of their new habitation, without manifesting regret for their loss, they begin with alacrity to put the hive in the proper condition. If the hive be constructed of two boxes, one set directly over the other, or as is sometimes prac- tised, the hive is made up of a series of boxes, either the bottom, or any intermediate one can be removed, by the same course. Bees, like all insects, breathe through minute holes in the sides of their bodies ; if the air, of which they consume a great quantity in a little time, is wanting in vitality, or is loaded with poisonous vapours, they die in a few minutes. When hives, in autumn, are suffocated with sul- phur, the bees are all killed by inhaling it, while burning. I shall devote the remainder of this chapter to giving directions for housing bees in glass hives, for the purpose of inspection, with reference to studying their habits, their labors and their gov- ernment. Having had considerable experience in manag- ing them in glass globes, I can with confidence recommend the following plan. Over a common wooden hive, having a broad surface at the top, through which a hole about one inch in diameter has been made, turn a glass globe of any dimensions. Over this globe, which should 36 CULTIVATION OF BEES. be made of pure flint glass, have a carefully adjust- ed case or box, of wood, tliat will exclude all light. Through the sides of this case, have several doors, neatly fitted and hung with hinges. From the top of the globe, on the inside, tliere should be a perpendicular rod, with cross bars, at suitable dis- tances, to attach the future comb. In blowing the globe, a hole in the centre should be made, through which the end of the rod may come, on the upper side, to be keyed. Nearly three inches from tliis centre, there should be another opening, like the mouth of a phial, perhaps one inch in diameter. The object of this second orifice, is, in the first place to serve as a ventilating window, allowing a circula- tion of air through the hive ; and secondly, for the purpose of introducing smoke, brushes, paint, &.c. in the course of a series of philosophical experi- ments. A globe holding from ten to fifteen quarts, will answer very well, though I have one, that holds almost a bushel of grain. The size should be proportioned to the magnitude and thrift of the swarm M^hich is set apart for philosophical purposes. I have, for the last four years, smce inventing this contrivance, been able to witness the process of constructing the cells, depositing the honey, feeding the young, setting the guards, and the like interesting operations. Before I hit on this par- ticular plan of a hive, the bees often died for want of air ; the heat was so great as to completely CULTIVATION OF BEES. 37 destroy the eggs before the worm was per- fected ; — and moreover, the bees were never wil- ling to go into it, unless compelled by a severe course of discipline. Notwithstanding what writers and farmers may say to the contrary, the bees will not plaster over the glass in such a manner as to destroy the observer's view of the interior. Hives constructed with perpendicular or inclined flat walls of pane glass, are in danger of being besmeared with propolis ; but globes, close and careful ob- servation warrants me in saying, are rarely, if ever, covered by the bees, even if the light is admitted an hour or two at a time, daily, through the honey harvest. Ordinarily, in a good season, such globes as have been described, will be filled, if too many experi- ments are not instituted, in five, and from that to seven weeks. When the season of observation has passed, and the bees are no longer travelling abroad, but give indications of making preparations for winter, if it is an object to preserve the globe, with its splendid waxen city, for exhibition, draw a small wire between the edge of the glass and wooden hive, to cut the comb from its connexion with the top board of the bottom hive, turn it bot- tom upward in a basket of hay, that it may not be broken, and wait for the bees to fly into the original hive. So simple and easy is this, in the cool of an 3* 38 CULTIVATION OF BEES. October morning-, that smoke, in self defence, is wholly unnecessary. In the wooden box there is usually honey enough to sustain the bees till the next working season. The evidence of the fact, is that the globe is full. If, however, there are any doubts on that point, let the box be raised a little, to be inspected. The following year, another globe may be placed over the same box, and thus the hive will not only, in the end, prove very productive, but gratify the most zealous entomologist with a bird's eye view of the interior. A hive, under such circumstances, rarely throws off new swarms. Upon the same principle, a quart or pint tumbler can be turned over an inch hole in the top of almost any hive, secured from the light, to answer the de- mands of the family. Every few days the tumbler will be filled, and another should be substituted in its place : in this way, continually alternating, a constant supply of delicious, fresh made honey, may be secured for the use of the table. It is best, notwithstanding the above remarks, on a simple mode of securing the almost daily pro- ducts of the apiary, to have both hive and bee-house of the best construction. In town, where the apiary is located in a fine, airy yard, the exterior should exhibit, as before remarked, a proper degree of taste as well as con- venience. CULTIVATION OF BEES. 39 Mode of constituting a projit able family hive. Under some circumstances, there is more advan- tage to be realized in keeping but one hive, if it be of suitable magnitude, than in attempting the cul- ture of half a dozen. Bees may be kept from swarming, just as long as they have any spare room in which new cells may be constructed. Such is their instinctive economy, that young bees on com- ing into existence, begin to labor, and are not ejected from the parental roof, but are assimilated to the old stock, from time to time, as long as the Avant of more laborers is indicated. The greater the number of active laborers, as in all other social communities, the greater and more certain is the product in a given time. As a gene- ral course, in cities, I am inclined to the opinion, that one hive, to a moderately sized family, is enough. First, because it will occupy less room in a yard, perhaps already too small for health ; and, in the next place, there is no danger of losing swarms of young bees, as none, if managed as they can be, will ever desire to leave. Give the bees but room enough, and their numbers will go on increasing to a truly surprising degree ; they will never swarm, to diminish the strength of the hive, but, on the con- trary, by such continual additions of new hands, will astonish and gratify the inexperienced apiarian with their accumulating riches. 40 CULTIVATION OF BEES, Of all the contrivances which the prolific inge- nuity of our countrymen has presented the public, for both comfortably housing and getting the honey, as it is made, Avithout detriment to the bees, the hive recently constructed by the distinguished and venerable Dr. James Thatcher, of Plymouth, has the decided superiority over all others. The Thatcher hive is completely calculated for this continual increase of bees, and is therefore the only one which is worth using in town, under such circumstances as have been defined: a moderate swarm, in three years, in one of these valuable hives, so well adapted to their increasing condition and the requirements of a family, will become exceedingly formidable. I have a hive, at this time, which has never swarmed. Dr. Thatcher, who examined it the last autumn, considered it the largest he had ever seen : indeed, he doubted whether there Avas a more populous hive in the commonwealth. This swarm, judging from Avhat I saw from day to day, must have collected about two pounds of honey, every pleasant day, for a long time. At the close of this essay, a particular description of Dr. Thatcher's invention will be given, and I, beg here to express a hope that it will eventually be in exclusive use in the United States. The Charlieshope hive, the invention of that philosophi- cal and ingenious lady, Mrs. Mary Griffith, of New Jersey, a model of which was forwarded to the CULTIVATION OF BEES. 41 Horticultural Society, though meriting attention, falls far below the other, in point of value. A description of it, however, will also be given. For a large country apiary, Mrs. Griffith's hive pos- sesses some trifling advantages over Dr. Thatcher's, and those regard the ventilation, principally, of the bees in the heat of summer. Those hives hawked about by pedlars, and quack farmers, as patents, have no claims to respectful notice. To buy them is actually foolishly wasting money. The more simple the hive, the more perfect, and therefore the more deserving. But after all that I have written, thus far, on the character of the hive, I think more highly of the garret of a house, in which the bees are permitted to enjoy their unrestrained liberty, than all the contrivances in the world beside. The Bee-3Ioth. Great lamentations are heard about the bee-moth, (PhalcEna (tinea) cereanea,) a small grey miller, whose devastations in the New England States have been described as absolutely frightful. That it does torment the bees, there is no question ; but that all the damage accruing to them, attributed to it, are really chargeable to its account, admits of some doubt. Attracted both by the odour of the honey, and an instinctive desire of depositing its eggs in a spot where the forth-coming worm may 42 CULTIVATION OF BEES. find a sufficiency of appropriate food, the moth runs the hazard of its own life, in running the gauntlet to get into the hive. The hatching of tlie moth's egg is effected by the heat of the hive, in the same manner and nearly in tlie same time that is required for maturing the eggs of the bee. As soon as the grub makes its exit from its enclosure, the tunics of tlie egg, it begins to gnaw its way forward, regard- less of all opposition, — taking in its track, honey, comb, the larvse of bees, and the bodies of those that happen to get within reach of its strong man- dibles. Subsequently to this voracious commence- ment, it secures itself in a thick, soft case, of its own elaboration, where, out of the reach of stings, it is changed ultimately, to the winged insect, capable, like its progenitor, of continuing the species. Disorder and disaffection soon shows itself amongst the laborers ; tlie destruction of property, collected with so much care, rouses them to the highest pitch of revenge. Effort after effort is made, en masse, to expel the intruding foe ; but if they are unsuccessful, which is sometimes the case, obviously discouraged, the swarm either gradually dwindle to insignificance, or unanimously resolve to seek, iii a body, a new and more desirable resi- dence.* * A gentleman of this cny who has made himself very familiar with the natural history of the honey-bee, S. Elliot Green, Esq. CULTIVATION OF BEES. 43 Many interesting facts, corroborative of these remarks, are recorded in various agricultural publi- cations. Such has been the destruction, we are credibly informed, of honey-bees, in the interior of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, that farmers have become heartily discouraged in their attempts at cultivation, and, lamentably, ap- pear almost to have abandoned them entirely. A very simple plan, and sometimes it is eminently successful, consists in placing a burning lamp in a pail, near the apiary. I have been quite successful in taking prisoners by this device, in the early part of the evening. A keg, because it is smaller at the top, by reason of the incurvation of the staves, hav- ing, in the mean time, but one head, is the best trap. Some fresh honey or if not readily obtained, even molasses, spread over the bottom, is the bait. A\\ insects are particularly charmed by a brio-ht light ; and none of them more than the bee-moth. As soon as they discover the light, they fly towards it. Another sense, which is probably strongly de- veloped, smell, is gratified by the odour of food ; and hence they have a doable inducement to enter into the trap, v/here the blaze of the lamp on their thin spread wings gives them a finishing blow, and informs me lliai in an apiarv in which he i()rmer!y look a deep interest, he prevented llie liepredaiions of ihe nnotli, to a con- siderable extent, hy frequently changing the floor board of the hive. He sonietimes inserted two or three clean planed boards in one season. 44 CULTIVATION OF BEES. tumbles them into the bottom. With a little man- agement, thousands may be caught in a very little time. Another method which I have practised success- fully is this, viz. : set a long neck bottle, having a little honey on the bottom, under the floor of the bee- house, and another, perhaps on the roof When once inside, it is exceedingly difficult for them to make their escape. Drawing a piece of gauze, or making a wire door, on hinges, over the aperture to the hive, which is closed over night, is another very good scheme. But this must be opened very early in the morning, as the bees begin to forage by the earliest dawn. The gate most effectually keeps the moth from getting within, though the bees, thus confined, exhibit much restlessness and impatience during the time they are imprisoned within their own castle. My ingenious friend. Dr. Thatcher, to whom the agriculturist is under peculiar obligations, says that by placing shallow vessels, containing sweetened water, to a pint of which is one gill of vinegar, the moths are intoxicated, fill into the pit and are drown- ed by hundreds. These are the principal means, yet discovered, of subduing the moth : perhaps all of them, on trial, would be found valuable, where there was reason for apprehending much damage from their nocturnal visitations. During the day- time, they are lying secreted in crevices, but as CULTIVATION OF BEES. 45 soon as the evening shade comes on, they are on the wing, carrying, if not apprehended, death and destruction to the bees. To extract Honey from the Comb, in quantities. Place all the comb, bruised and broken, as it may be, containing very often dead bees, larvae, «fec. in a good sized hair seive. Let it be suspended by cords from the ceiling, as the most convenient mode, and an earthen vessel set to receive the honey as it gradually drips through the seive. The process may be hastened considerably by having it near a hot fire, which makes the contents of the cells much more fluid. When the jars are sufficiently filled, set them in a cool apartment. The honey grains, as it is termed, in a few weeks assuming the appear- ance of butter partially melted. Age gives it more character ; it hardens very considerably, so that it may be placed in slices on the table, having a rich yellowish hue. For family use, this is a common, very good and certain process. To prepare Wax, after taking out the Honey. In a kettle of boiling water, throw all the comb taken from the strainer. Continue boiling till it is dissolved, then strain the whole, water as well as wax, through a coarse linen cloth, into another vessel of boiling water. In this way, all impurities will be detected ; the wax, therefore, becomes per- 4 46 CULTIVATION OF BEES. fectly pure. If suffered to cool in the second vessel, it will rise to the surface of the water, in a solid cake. To every fifteen pounds of honey, in cells, there is nearly half a pound of wax. Metliod of managing Stuck Bees in Winter. During the season of rest, from the first of Octo- ber to the first or middle of April, the quantity of honey consumed by such a hive as has been spoken of, as worth keeping, varies according to the average temperature of the weather, from ten to twenty pounds. It is better that the bees should have too much than too little in store. They are very economical in the expenditure of food, and there- fore there is no risk in trusting them with well stocked granaries.* All hives should have the * On Ihe "21st of March, 1831. in company with JVlr. J. S. C- Greene, we examined a hive of bees Uiai had, probalily, died for want of proper ventilation. Tliere were two thousand two hundred bees. A common flint lumliler, coniained one thousand, weighing" si.x ounces and a liaif. It was obvious ihey did not die of starvation, as there vvas a good supply of beauti- ful honey, which, together with the comb, weigiied iwenly-two pounds. Allowiuir one half pound of cell comb, for holding every fifteen pounds of honey, the qiiantily was easily ascer- tained. Taking this in connection with that which was taken from them in the autumn, and, at the sante time, admitting that five hundred bees were lost by high autumnal winds, storms, and early frosts, the whole colony consisted, originally, of ihirty- iwo hundred bees, which, in eight weeks, or thereabouts, collected the wax, constructed the cells, and made over one hundred pounds of honey, in a garden on Pemberlon's Hill, nearly in the centre of Boston ! It should be remarked, that a bee answering tlie general description of ili