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THE

Praaical Bee - Mafterl

IN WHICH WILL BE SHEWN

HOW TO MANAGE BEES

Either in STRAW HIVES or in BOXES,
WITHOUT DESTROYING THEM,

AND WITH MORE EASE, SAFETY, AND PROFIT, THAI*
BY ANY METHOD HITHERTO MADE PUBLIC, VIZ.

I. To manage Bees in Straw Hivef,

with NEW CONSTRUCTED Tops, at

a fmall expence, as profitably and eafily
as with Boxes.

II. In Boxes of an improved and
theap Conftrudion, eafily to be managed,
and with fo little Dist u r banc e to the
Bees, that all the neceflary operations
may be performed without any Danger.

III. To CATCH and fecure the
Queen, or to fix her and a Swarm
to iny p'ace you pleafe.

IV. To caufe Bees to quit a Hive,
and to be io tradable as to fuffer them-
fejves to be HANDLED without Stinging.

V. Several Methods of Swarming
Bees ArtlfidaUy.

VI. To caufe a ?warm to work in
feparated Glafies, without any Hive ;
or in globular or other glafles, fo that

pure Virgin Honey may be taken when
in its UTMOST Perfection..

Vil. To prevent or caufe Bees to
fwarm.

VIII. To take the Honfiy and yet pre-

ferve the Bees, with common Hives only,

IX. To unite Cafts, Swarms, and Stocks.

X. A Catalogue of, and Obfervations
on, the moft proper Flowers or Paftu-
rage for Bees.

XI. An eafy and certain Method
of preferving Stocks in Winter and cold
Springs.

XII. Several netv and improved Me-
thods of extra<3:ing the Wax from the
Com.bs, two of them without either
Straining or Prejjjrg ; and each by a

Jingle Operation : but more perfedly,
and with far lefs Trouble and Expence
of Fuel than hitherto prafticed.

TOGETHER V/ 1 T H SUCH FULL AND PLAIN DIRECTIONS

That the meaneft Cottager may attain this profitable Art
Without Difficulty, and at a fmall Expence ;

INTERSPERSED WITH OCCASIONAL

STRICTURE
On Mr. THOMAS WILDMAN's Treatise on Bees:

DISOAM-
S

WITH SEVERAL NEW DISCOVERIES AND IMPROVE.MENTS,
THE RESULT OF LONG EXPERIENCE,

AND DEDUCED FROM ACTUAL EXPERIMENTS,

By JOHN KEYS,'
BEE-MASTER.

o

D

N

Printed for the Author, and fold by him at his Houfe in Cheshun t-Striet,

HERTKoRDsHiR* J J. JoHNSON, No. 72, St. Paul's Ch'uch-Yard ;
Mr. Valla.ncji, Chcapfidcj and by the.principal Bookfellers in Town and Cowntry

Entered in the Hall-Book

OF THE

COMPANY OF STATIONERS

ACCORDING TO

:^ft of i^ariiament)

December 5, 1780.

( iii )

PREFACE.

THOUGH It Is not the happy lot
of every author to have been nurfed
on claffic ground, yet when any publications
have tended more to the benefit than to
the mere amufement of the public, the
candid have in general kindly thrown a
veil over their imperfe(flions in flyle and
manner. The writer of the following
pages, the fruits of his evening hours, as
none other can be fpared from more im-
portant avocations, thinking they may, on
account of their general utility, have fome
claim to this indulgence, has prcfumed to lay
them before the public. He pretends not,
however, to be wholly diiinterelied in this
publication, but acknowledges that he has
lome regard to his own intereft, as well
as to the public good.

A natural predilciftion in favour of thefe
ufetul and entertaining infedts, firll: intro-
duced him to their acquaintance. But not
meeting with the cxpecied fatisfadtion from
the rules and directions of the inoi\ gene-
rally approved authors, he was induced to
A make

148726

IV

P R E F A C fi.

make a great variety of experiments ; in the
courfe of which he incurred a confiderable
cxpence, and fufFered much fmart. He
thought himfelf, however, amply repaid by
their refult, which was entirely to his own
fatisfadion, and highly worthy, if vanity
and felf-love do not deceive him, of ge-
neral notice j whether his difcoveries be
really (it to be encouraged, or configned
to oblivion, he now fubrnits to the judg-
ment of the impartially fkilful.

As every circumftaece either unneceflary
in real pradice, or impradicable in itfelf,
except a few which are feieded for their
noveliy, is omitted ; a greater fcope is al-
lowed for the defcriptions^ which are par-
ticularly minute on the account of no-
vices; who would otherwife meet with many
and even infuperable difficulties.

A great number of prevailing, though
deftrudtive, errors are here pointed out, and
many new improvements and difcoveries
fubftituted.

The beft: methods of eonduding the
various operations are fo particularly and
plainly delcribed, as to render the prac-
tice familiar and eafy to farmers and cot-«
tagers in general : for vs'ant of which,
works of this kind have hitherto rather
difcouraged than promoted a general keep-
ing of Bees.

The author hopes, however, that this
treatiie will enable the country people to
overcome the moll formidable obliacles,

vi;Zy

PREFACE. V

V12. die little profit and often great de-
creafe, or even the total lofs of their
Stocks, in the ufual modes of practice ^
or the too great expence, lofs of time,
and fmart, attendant upon mod of the
improved ones yet offered to the public:
to which may be added the danger, in-
fufficiency, and uncertainty of them all.

The inquifitive mind will alfo meet
with fome things worthy of attention.
Particular inftrudtions will be given how
to manage boxes and glalTes of various
figures, and in different arrangements, as
well for entertainment as emolument. As
to what is merely fpcculative on the na-
ture of Bees, it being totally incompatible
with the Author's pradical plan, he re-
fers the curious to "Ibe Natural Hijlory of
Bt-rs,* where they will meet with a very
pleaiing and accurate account.

It would be entirely labour loft, (hould
this method, through over refinement, be
not adapted to the general ufd of the
peafantry of Great Britain and Ireland. It
is from them, and them alone, that any
confiderable national increafe of hont^y and
wax is to be looked for: but as very few
of this great multitude have any tolerable
knowledge of conducing the many ne-
cclTary operations of Bees, this branch of
rural ceconomy is greatly neglcded. Bees,

A 2 with

I' -"» ■ -^.— — — I

* PuhliJ})td hji Knap tin and FdiiLinty 1744.

vi PREFACE.

xvith proper management, are capable of
multiplying prodigioufly ; and it may be
afferted, without any exaggeration, that
there might be five thoufand times more
honey and wax produced than there is at
prcient, were every farmer and cottager
to keep a reafonable number of Stocks ;
for then all the honey and wax that the
vegetables of thefe kingdoms are capable
oi fupplying, would be as regularly col-
le(5led by thefe induftrious infeds, as the
corn from the fields, or the fruits from
the trees ; and thereby prevent the necef-
fity thefe realms are now under, of im-?
portiog great quantities of thefe very ufeful
articles from foreign countries, very much
to the national lofs.

It is readily acknowledged, that there is
more trouble and more expence attending
the method here" propofed, than the old
one of fuffocation; but, if the profits be..^^
trebled, or even doubled, a perfon muft
pay very little regard to his own intereft,
who ilioiild prefer the old and lead ad-
vantageous method. What adv^antages would
attend the keeping of poultry and pigs,
if a very confiderable portion of care and
expence were not beftowed upon them ?

Though Bees, with little comparative
trouble and expence, afford great profits,
yet it is much to be apprehended that there
will be no confiderable increafe of thefe
beneficial infers, unlefs the patriotic and
li^pcyplent gentry in cycry county will

PREFACE. vli

make a point of fetting an example, and
direding a portion of their accuftomed li-
berality to this purpofe. Ruftics are, of
all people, the laft in adopting any new
practices, though the ol'd be ever fo evi-.
dently abfurd. No reafoning, however clear
and ftrong, is able to conquer either their
obflinacy or their prejudices. It is only
by examples of faperior gain that they
can be roufed to deviate from their ufual
t-rack, and induced to follow any practice
they have once either negledled or dc-
fpifed.

The mofl probable method of attaining
this certainly defireabie object, would be to
prefent a Swarm of Bees and a couple of
new conftructed ftraw hives to poor cotta-
gers of good charad:ers ; at the fame time
binding them, by an abfolute, promife to
manage them according to the diretflions, or
book, of their kind donors. This, though
at firft of fmall value, would in time prove
not only of great public utility, but would
alfo be fo very beneficial to the poor fa-
milies themielves, as, by the increafe and
produce, to afford raiment to the naked,
food to the hungry, and make the humble
habitations of many, who are now mifer-
able through extreme poverty, comfortable
and joyous : while the benign hearts of
their humane benefacflors would feel fuch
tranfports of happinefs and fatisfad:ion, on
contemplating the change, as would amply

recompeace

viii PREFACE.

recom pence them for the little charge and
trouble it might require.

There is, it muft be acknowledged, fome
rifque that thefe laudable intentions may be
fruftrated, and the propofed advantages . not
gained, unlefs the fame benevolence which
firft gave the hives, would alfo condefcend
from time to time, and by cafua] vifits,
to infpedl their management, and obferve
whether the diredions given be conformed
to. Even this, perhaps, may be infuffi-
cient for the intended purpofe, /hould any
of thefe laborious infedt communities be
configned to the lazy or the fotti(h : but.
Heaven forbid, that the fweet profits of the
temperate and induftrious Bees fhould be
fquandered abroad in riot and excefs, while
the diftreffed wife and children are pine^
ing at home with want, or perifliing by
the piercing feverity of the winter's cold !

Great, very great, are the charitable be-?
nefadions of the inhabitants of thefe king-
doms ! but equally great are the infolence
and profligacy of the lower clafs of people !
But, to throw out a hint, might not thefe
very benefactions be made fubfcrvient to a
general reformation, by beftowing them on
none but the fober, the induftrious, and
the well-behaved ? Would not this con-»
dudl, if general, excite a fpirit of emula-
tion among the poor to excel in virtue :
as well knowing, that without this recom-
mendation, they would certainly be de-
prived of all hopes of protedtion and en-
couragement ?

PREFACE. it

touragement ? Here it is to be lamented,
that the moft vicious are likewife the moft
pulhing, and by their impudence can ob-
trude themfelves into notice } while the
virtuous, too meek perhaps, and fubmiffive,
are intimidated from afking, and muft
therefore be fought out. Thus patient
merit ftarves, while the mifcreant riots on
what would have made a whole virtuous
family grateful, comfortable, and happy I
The Author's fituation in life has afforded
him ample opportunities for thefe obferva-
tions, which thofe in higher ftations are
neceffarily deprived of; he therefore hopes
this digreffion will be thought not alto-
gether impertinent.

After all, perhaps, the only method of
eflablifhing a proper mode of managing
Bees, fo as to become univerfal and per-
manent, would be for fome perfon in
every neighbourhood to make himfelf per-^
fc<ft in the art : he might then fuperin-
tend and manage his neighbour's Bees at
a moderate ilipulated price for each Stocky
through the year ; in a limilar manner to
thofe who go from houfc to houfe to brew,
6cc. Many, who through age and infir-
mities are rendered unfit for hard labour,
might eafily acquire and prad:ife this art tc^
their own benefit, and that of the public.

Some, who already keep Bees, may objecft
that the Author has inferted many well
knov^'n particulars : fuch fliould confider

that

X PREFACE;

that he writes for the totally ignorant, al
well as for thofe who have fome previous
knowledge ; that he means to inftrudt in the
whole art, and not in a part only. But,
fhould the obje(^l:or fave only one hive of
Bees by the methods hce pointed out,
though taught by a iingle Paragraph, there
furely can be no caufe of complaint; as the
faving will be much more than the wholt
purchafe of the book.

Should this treatife merit a fecond edition,
any ufeful practical information or correc-
tions (hall be properly infertedj it being
the Writer's ardent wi(h that this bene-
ficial art be brought as near perfedtion as
poffible. Such communications addrefied to
the Author, will be gratefully acknow-
ledged.

The Writer hopes that the critics will be
tender of this his only child ; the child of
his old age ; which, though now weak,
fickly, and helplefs, he flatters himfelf, may,
by a little of their kind affiflance, become
extenfively ufefuK

( xi )

CONTENTS.

Page,
Chapter I. Of the Nature and ^ali-

ties of the ^een Bee - - I

Chap. II. A Defcription of the Drones

a?id Cofnmon Bees - - - i6

Chap. III. Of the Stinging of Bees - 22
Chap. IV. Of the Apiary ^ or Place to

keep Bees - - "34

Chap. V. Of the Bee Houfe - " 41
Chap. VI. Of Bee Boxes - - 46

Chap. VII. Of Straw Hives - '37
Chap. VIII. StriBures on Mr. Wild-
man s and other prior conflruSied Hives
and Boxes ; Jhewing their Defeats and
Inconveniences ; with a Comparifon be-
tween them and thofe of my Plan - 65
Chap. IX. Rules and Cautions to be ob"
ferved in the Purchafing and Removal
oj Bees - - - - ^'y

Chap. X. Obfervations on the Increafe

of Bee Si and the Nature of Swarms - 93
Chap. XI. Precautions and Rules to be ob'
fervedin the Manageme?it and htving of
Swarms - - - ~ "3

Chap. XII. Of Swarming Bees Artifi'
daily ; of Catching the- ^teen, afid Me-
thod of Uniting Swarms and Stocks - 146
Chap. XIII. Particular hif ructions how
to manage GlaJJes oj various Figures,
and i7i different Arrangements^ as well
for Entertainment as EmQlument - 187

Chap*

xil CONTENTS.

Page.

Chap. XIV. Shews the Method and Time
ofRaiJing Stocks; or of Doubling Hives loo

Chap. XV. Of the Pajiurage or Flowers

proper for Bees, with a Catalogue of

them, and Obfervations thereon ; as alfo

the proper Number of Stocks requijite

for different Situations - -216

Chap. XVI. Honey Dews, the Nature
of, andObfervationson - - 239

Chap. XVII. Method of feparating
Double Hives or Boxes ; of taking the
Honey-combs, and of Hives in general ;
njoith many Ohfervations and Precau-
tions relating to Stocks during the
Summer - - * - 243

Chap. XVIII. Of Wafps, Mice, and
other Dejiroyers of Bees, with the
Means of Prevention - - 272

Chap. XIX. Of their Wars and Rob-
beries, with Dirediions how to terminate
them - - - - 282

Chap. XX, Of the great Mortality of
Bees in Winter and Spring; the Caufe
hivefiigated, and how to prevent it ; alfo
the Manner of Feeding them to the beji
Advantage - - - 291

Chap. XXI. Of Ext railing the Honey
and Wax from the Combs ; with
fever al new Methods of doing it - 320

Chap. XXII. Char aBeriftic and Medical
Ohfervations on Honey - "337

Chap. XXIII. How to fnd Bees in
Woods, and to fecure them in a Hive - 349

T II E

THE

PRACTICAL

BEE-MASTER.

CHAPTER I.

Of the Nature and Qualities of the
Q_u E E N B E E.

i.'Tp^O have a competent knowledge
X of the proper management of
Bees, it is firfl: of all neceflary to be well
acquainted with their nature and qualities :
For it mufl furely be deemed abfurd in any
one to attempt to govern a people, v/ithout
knowing any thing of their manners, cuf-
toms, and propenfities.

2. Each Stock of Bees, and alfo each
Swarm, is compofed of three forts, or claffes,
liz. the Queen, (fig. i.) the Drones, (fig. 2.)
and the Working Bees, (iig. 3.)

3. The Queen is the Common Mother (ia
the flrideft fenfe cf the word) of the whole

B Stock,

D. H. HILL LIBRARY
North Carolina Stafe College

2 Of the Nature and Qualifies

Stock. Several modern authors however
liave not only dignified her with this title,
but have alib attributed to her a regal power
and polity, fimilar to tliat known among our
fpecies. Such flights of fancy may be allowed
to poets, but of the natural hillorian it is re-
quired to^ delineate with truth and accuracy,
and without any exaggeration.

Though I have myfelf paid very great

attention to this point, yet I could never

obferve any fucli inflances of fovereignty ;

nor am I fmgular in t/jis opinion, having

Monfieur Reaumur to countenance me ^

for he obfcrves, ** If (lie reigns it is over

** ful^ieds that every moment know the

*' good of their fociety demands what they

** perform j and who therefore never fail

*' to do it. From this fource flows their

*' unparalleled attachment, ttndernefs, and

** rcfpecl. They never have occaflon to

** receive orders. Both Qiieen and People

*' invariably purfue the defigns of Nature."

4. NotvvithAanding the great names of
Locke and Hoadly, female government feems
to have been the Jirji among men j for we
find Eve governed Adam, and made him do
a very foul thing. So among Bees, the
Mcitrmrc/h'il, v.as aifo the //r//^ and is the
cn/y one liiat has been admitted among them
from the beginnin-i : However as cullcm
has dignified the Parent Bee with the title
of Queen, we (hall diftinguiili her by that
appeiiaiion through the fucceeding pages.

c. Her

Of the QoEEN Be^. ^

5. Her importance among Bees Is much
greater than that of the greateft monarch
among the Tons of men. Without Her the
whole rtock or family, would be foon extin-
guitlied. Should a natural or accidental death
deprive any Stock of their Q^tcn, confu-
fion, Ibrrow- and neglcvft inevitably fucceed.
They then barely work for immediate fub-
iiftence, and for a very fhort time j for having
no profpefl of a future race, they pine and
languidi until funine and* death, put a pe-
riod to their grief.

6. With refpedl to figure, the Queen,
(fig. I.) is longer and more flender than the
Drones ; the hinder part tapering almoft to
a point; her belly and legs are yellower
than thofe of the common Bees; the upper
part of her body is of a much darker colour,
nearly approaching to a glofly black j as is
alfo the tapering part beyond her wings,
which is divided into four joints, diftinguifhed!
by as many circles, whereas the common
Bees have but three circles, and thofe of a
lighter colour; and the nearer (lie is to the
feafon of depofiting her eggs, the more
fliining and large ihe appears. Her wings
are very fhort in proportion to her body,
hardly reaching beyond the middle, and ertding
about the third ring, whereas thofe of the
common Bees and Drones cover their whole
body: . fo that upon the whole Hie feems
rather clumfy, and is not unlike a tall wo--
man with a very Oiort cloak; but in her de-
portment, fhe is grave, folemn, and calm...
B 2 7. She

4 Of tke Nature and ^{diitiei

7. She is armed with a fting, which is
neither fo large nor fo long as thofe of the
Commoners ; its ufe, however, I cannot pre-
cilely determine j as the rougheO: ufage, even
to preffing many of them to death in my
hands^ could never provoke a Queen to fting
me, though tliey feemed to dart their ftings
out for that purpofe. But having placed
two Queens together under a glaf?, I obferved
that they l^abbed each other, until death
ended the combat.

8. Perhaps this unwillingnefs in the
Queen to lling on any other occafion, may
be owing to her confcioufnefs, that on her
preffrrvation, depends the happineis and prof-
perity of her numerous offspring. For of her
fruitfulnefs one may fay, •* that her progeny
** is like the fand upon the fea fhore." Ta
bring forth young is the whole of her duty*
and this important otiice her children know to
be abfoluteiy neceffarv to their mutual prof-
perity, and is the meafure of that affectionate
foHcitude they bear her. To this fingle cir-
cunitlance may all thofe {hinlng qualities of
royalty be reduced.

9. It might feem too fabulous to relate,
had not th.it great and indefatigable Na-
tural lit, Monf. Reaumur, afcertained the fadt
by accurate examination, that a fingle C^een,
in the courfe of feven weeks, can produce
ten or twelve thoufand young ; and that ihQ
commonly brings forth from thirty to forty
thoufand in nine months. Some, however,
are more prolilic th^n others.

10. This

Of the Queen Bee. ^

lo. This is further confirmed by ano-
ther very eminent Naturaliil:, Swammerdam.
He dilcovcred in the body of a Queen Bee
ready to lay, an ovarium, or egg bag, con-
taining five thoufand one hundred vifibic eggs :
And if fo, there can be no difficulty in iup-
pofing her capable of producing la numerous
an offspring in fo Ihort a time,

11. About the middle of the fpring
is the height of her laying : from many cir-
cumilances it is very probable that ihe then
lays about two hundred eggs a day. How-
ever prodigious this may feem to thofe not
convcrfact with natural hiftory, feveral animals
furpafs the Queen Bee in fecundity.

12. But this furprizc will be greatly
heightened by refiec^ing upon a faculty dill
more wonderful, that of appearing to be
endowed with a power of keeping in her body
eggs that have been impregnated feveral
months before ; or, (which amounts to the
fame; the feed of the male, capable of vivify-
ing the eggs at the time of their exclufion.
For, though the Drones, who are the males,
are leldom fufi^ered to remain in the hives
(581) longer than the middle of Auguft, )'et
the Queen flili continues to lay eggs and pro-
duce young, not only in Autumn, but alfo in
the next Spring, until March or April, and
in great abundance, all by virtue of the Au-
tumnal impregnation. Nor is this faculty
confined to the Qiiecn Bee, as Wafps,
Hornets, and fome other infedt tribes do the
fame.

B 3 13. That

6 Of the Nature and ^lalities

13. That the Drones have any agency
at all In propagation, has been elaborately
difputed by the Rev. Mr. Thorly ^ * nor does
he feem to think them of any other ufe
whatever; as though Providence had made a
diJiinSlion without defigning it to anfwer any
particular purpofe.

14. Butler, however, who wrote long
before, viz. in 1623, -j- differs widely from
him in fentiment, and feen:is to be not only-
the firjl difcoverer of their fex, but alfo of
that of the Queen, He has maintained his
opinion with greater weight of argument,
which later experience has fully confirmed.

15. Notwithflanding the prying eyes of
fo many philofophers and naturalills in every
•^^'ij the myfleries of love remained an impe-
netcable fecret until the fuperior inquifitive
genius of Reaumur lifted up the veil and
iifhered tliem into day. To obtain this difco-
very, he confined a Queen and a Drone in a
glafs, and there had his mo(f fanguine wiihes
complcatly fatisfied by being an eye witnefs of
the nuptial confummation. His joy, however,
at this fortunate difcovery v^'as not without
fome alloy, in beholding feveral (ingle Drones,
he had accommodated her Majefty with, die
Gt her feet, through excefs of amorous toil.
From this circumftance it fully appears,
that a fmall number of males are vi'holly in-

fuiiicient

* Enquiry into the Nature, &c. of Bees, 1765,
■J Female Monarchy,

Of the QiTEEN Bee. 7

fufficlent for the arduous tafk -, and that a
large number, generally {^vzw or eight hun-
dred, are required to impregnate the many
thoufand eggs depofited by the Q^een.

16. But as Thorlcy has degraded the
Drones from their office, and has leprefented
them as unprofitable and ufelefs, fo have we
an antagonili againR the Queen, in Mr. Daniel
Wildman, (nephew to the fii ..ous Mr. Tho-
mas Wildman) who, in his fmall pamphlet, *
has attempted to render her equally infigni-^
ficant.

17. He afTcrts, that the opinion of the
Qijeen being the general parent of the whole
Stock, *^ is abfolutely without foundation."
He further ('^c.'j^y ** They (the common
*' ^KLt^^ couple together, I make no doubt,
" though privily, and apart by then:ifelves,
** though they never were obferved, yet they
*' certainly apply themfelves to that buhnefs
*' fecretly within the hives, or elle abroad
*' where there can be no v^^itne/Tes."

1%, In anfwer to this, it may furely be
urged, that as among fo many millions of
Bees, which many people pofilfs, and among
fo many watchful eyes of naturalifts and
others, no fuch conjunction has ever been
noticed, cither in glafs hives, or when ths
Bees have been abroad, '\t is by no means
unreafonable or unwarrantable to alTert, that
it is highly improbable any fuch connections
B 4 ever

* Complete Guide tor the AlanagemciU of Bees, 1775.

8 Of the Nature and Sluallties

ever take place. We know that all other
infedls have no regard to what wc call mo-
deAy or decency among us ; therefore luch
delicacy in Bees, ai]d in Bees alone, is fuper-
latively aftoniil:iing.

19. To this it may perhaps be replied, that
neither has the engendering of the Queen and
Drones, ever been difcovered in glafs or other
hives y I grant it. The cafe, however, is
by no means parallel. Here is a lingle in fed;
amongft a vaft multitude, by whom fne is
conftantly furrounded ; whofe refidence like-^
"wife is always in the centre of the hi,ve, and
confcquntly her perfon continually veiled
from human eyes, except when flie is de-
pofiting eggs near the extremities of the
combs.

Reaumur relates, that he kept Bees In glafs,
hives many years, but could never obtain a
view of the amours of the Queen and Drones.
I have pla'ced a Swarm in fcven glalTcs, eacli
holding three pints, and having a common
communication with each other at bottom j
yet, notwithftanding the Bees were thus
divided, the Queen was feen hut twice the
whole feafon ; much lefs could any obferva-
tions be niade of a royal wedding.

20. But there is another infuperablc ob-
je^ftion to Mr. Daniel Wildman's principle :
For although no one ever faw them engender,
fonie one muH have [qqxx them depofit their
eeas. But who ever favv a workin"; Bee v/ith
its Tail in a cell ? With their Heads they
are continually feen fo, in order to depofit

their

' 0/ f/je QvEEN Bee.' 9

their loads ; and whether alive or dead, arc
always found with their heads towards the
bottoms of the cells. Therefore Mr. Wild-
man rnufl: grant that they lay their eggs at
their mouths. I have feveral times held
Queens in my hand who, while there, have laid
their eggs, and in the fame way as all other
creatures do. Working Bees I frequently
hold in my hand -, and they alfo have depo-
fited, but never eggs, unlefs excrement may
be fo called.

21. Mr. Wildman endeavours to fupport
his do(flrine by that befl of all proofs, expe-
riment. But it is neither one nor two, but a
long feries of fimilar refults, that amount to
a certainty. He declares he often repeated
fome particular experiments to determine the
point; and gives us an account of one, in
which, after taking out the Bees from a hive,
he feparated from them the old Queen*, and
a young one, not yet come to maturity ; this
laft he Ituck up in another hive, with a fuf-
ficient quantity of Bees with it, and obferved
at the fame time that there were no young
Bees in the other common cells. At the end
of three or four days he took the Bees out
again, and obferved young Bees in every cell.

22. This experiment, however, appears to
me on feveral accounts a very doubtful one ;
for he could by no means be certain there

Vers

* -Although he calls his Treatife complete, the fecrct
hw, he referves to himfelf.

JO Of the Nature and ^alities

were no young in the common cells, unlefs
he had taken out and examined each comb
ieparately. But even allowing that there
were no young in the cells before, yet how is it
poflible there could be young Bees at the end
of three or four days ? For it is an incontef-
table facfl, that the ^gg itfelf is three days
in that ftate, and five or fix more under the
appearance of a maggot. Mr. Wildman
muft therefore mod certainly be miftaken in
this ', as he is alfo when he affirms that a
Royal Bee is five or fix weeks hatching.

23. But Mr. Wildman proceeds flill further,
and obferves that there were not only young
Bees in the old combs, but alfo in new combs,
which the Bees had built in the courfe of
four days. The young Queen mofl probably,
was not in a fufiicient Hate of maturity to
breed thefe -, but it does not follow that
fome other young Queen, who had eluded
his fearch, did not. I have myfelf been fre-
quently difappointed in fearching for the
^ueen, and have been obliged to repeat the
operation two or three times before I could
find her. Thefe experiments therefore, can-
not by any means be deemed decifive, efpe-
cially when attended with fo many improba-
bilities. It would have been more fatisfac-
tory had this gentleman acquainted us with
the number of combs and Bees put into the.
hive, and at what feafon.

We hope he will favour us with fome
future experiments on this lubje(3:, made

with

Of the QuTiF.N Bee. ii

with precifion, and in the prefence of intel-
ligent pcrfons.

24. In the mean time, to ftrengthen the
arguments already offered in fupport of ouf
opinion, let us add the telHmony of Swam-
merdani and Reaumur. Thefe gentlemen
beheld in the ovarium of a Queen Bee, five
thoufand three hundred eggs at one time.
Now, fuppofmg there had only been half
that number, what can fuch a multitude
be defigned for, if, as Mr. Wildman allerts,
theQueen only produces three or four young ?
Befides, there never have been found any vef-
tiges of an ovarium in common Beesj there-
fore, as Mr. Wildman admits that by dif-
fedion of a drone the fex may be afcertained,
this argument muft be allowed to be full
as applicable and conclufive when applied
to the Queen and the common Bees.

25. Although he does not admit of the
Queen being the common mother, yet in
feveral pages he acknowledges, ** That with-

* out a young Queen there can be no Swarm.
' TliQt a hive {hall be well flocked with
' honey and ^tt^y and yet all fhall die in
' \\\t winter, occafioned by the Icfs of the
' Queen ; for when this happens they will

* neither work nor eat." I Ihall make no
comments upon this, as it coincides with the
general received opinion as to the abfolutc^
neceffity of a Qi^ieen to the profperity of
every Stock or Swarm. Thcugh from him
we cannot learn from wlience chat neceflity
can pclTibly arilc.

26.1

12 Of the Nature and ^laVitkf

26. I have lately met with another fin-
gular fentiment of a foreigner refpeding the
royal brood, as related to a friend of mine,
viz. that by taking any common egg, and
fixing it in a royal cell, it will become a
3^oung Qneen ; and this (as he fappofes) from
the extraordinary fupply of food.

That nature fliould endow a m.ultitude of
creatures with fuch a peculiar conflrixftion
of velfels, as can be ufeful only to a few
in many millions, is as repugnant to obfer-
vatlon and experience, as it is to probability.
The Drones are much larger and of a dif-
ferent conformation to the Qneen and Com-
mons. Can this arife purely from any pe-
culiarity in the nutriment ? The refult of
fuch an experiment would more likely be a
drone, a heavy clumfy infect, with an ob-
tufe anus, than a Queen, whofe body is np
thicker than that of a common Bee, but
which extends much longer and terminates
in a point. We might as well exped that
our hens would all produce cock eggs by
giving them a doable portion of fuod.

27. That the gentleman might have
taken a common egg and placed it in a royal
Cell, and that a young Queen had been after-
wards produced, I will not difpute. For
there might be a Queen already in the hive
unperccived by him, who might lay a royal
C'-g in thit cell, the working Bees having
firlt taken away the common egg. Befide,
why ihould a Queen be capable of furniih-
ing feveral fupernuinerary princefTes, when

in

Of the Queen Eee. 13

In (i'2i{^ of mifcarriage, the commoners could
fo eafily fupply the deficiency ? And doubt-
lefs thefe would have been furniflied with
that inflinift or knowledge, had it been fo.

28. Let this be as it will ; in prac-
tice it can be of no confequence or w{q ;
as he acknowledged that a common €gg muft
be depofited m a royal cell. To do this the
Bees muft be drove, and fome combs cut
out J in doing which a real royal egg may
be dcftroyed, and the reft of the young in-
jured. The operation itfelf is likewife trou-
bkfome. All which inconveniences may
eafily be avoided, by fetting the ^cenlefs
Stock at night over fome other. (382.)

29. Having thus attempted to eftablifti
the principles we fet out with, we proceed
next to treat of the generation of Bees. And,
iirft, the Royal Nurfery. This is compofed
of cells or nefts (fig. 4, ^, b.^ which are
cf a circular form, of a confiderable thick-
nef§, and In appearance rather clumfyi for
one of thefe cells weighs as much as a hun-
dred cf the common ; the royal cell, when
about half made, reiembles the lov^er part
of an acorn turned uplide down; (fig. 4 <2.)
but it is gradually lengthened in proportion
to the growth of the incloled embryo, until
at laft it is fealed or covered over at the top
with wax (fig. 4. b). Sometimes thele
cells hang from the middle of a comb; but
oftener from the fides, ends, or edges of the
combs (fig. 4). They hang in a perpen-
dicular di.'-edtion, with the open end point-

ing

14 Of the Nature and ^lalities

ing down towards the floor. The numhef
of thefe cells are various, from two or three
to ten or twelve. After the royal brood is
out, they are generally taken to pieces,
and the wax applied to other ufes. But if
the wax be not wanted, they are permitted
to remain.

30. A young Queen is capable of being
fecundated four or five days after her birth j
but until flie /j-, no Swarm will rife with
her; and that fometimes does not happen
for fome weeks, for want of Drones. Her
colour changes to a deeper hue, in propor-
tion to her age ; and the nearer flie is to her
laying-time, the more lliining and large (he
appears.

31. A Swarm has generally the fagaclty
to fingle out the forwarded: to lead them.
Tho* it frequently happens, that lome bold •
virago will intrude, and hazard her life for '
an empire. But when fettled in a liive, fhe
that is ready to lay wilt be enthroned, and
her competitor expelled or ilain.

-^2. The Queen begins to lay in Fe-
bruary or fooner, if the weather proves mild,
and proper flowers arc in bloflbm (512) and
will in fome fituations, continue laying until
Ocftober. 1 have taken Stocks often at that
time with brood in them. But at what time
foever the Bees carry in little bails upon their
legs, it may be looked upon as a lure indi-
cation of the Queen's breeding.

33. As moil of the infedt tribes exhibit
transformations, which niight be accounted

miraculous,

0/ the Queen Bee. 15

miraculous, were- they i^ot fo common, fo
the Bees undergo limilar and equally lur-
prizlng changes, which we firail now endea-
vour to delbribe.

The Qnccn firlT: lays an tgg^ at the bottom
of thofe holes, or waxen cells, which form
the combs (fig. 4) ; after the ^^g has re-
mained in this ftate about three days, it be-
comes a ??]ags,ot ', which lies in the bottom of
the cell rolled up in the form of a half moon,
and is furrounded with a clammy fubftance.
The Bees continually feed it at the mouth
during five or fix days. The embryo being
then confiderably increafed in bulk, the cell
is clofed or fealed over with a covering of
wax by tlie common Bees ; having been
thus left about twelve days more, the young
Bee breaks through 'this waxen cover-
ing, and appears in its perfed: form. But
a royal egg is longer in hatching than a com-
m'on one.

34. There is alfo, and generally in the
middle of every hive, a comb appropriated
for the Drone brood, the cells being much
deeper than the common ones : and when
the young are fealed up, inliead of a jiat,
they have a convex cover, which is a little
oval.

35. The duration of a Qneen's life, as
alfo of the inferior Bees, feem to be about a
year. The Queen therefore thi'.t breeds early
in one fpring, can hardly be the lame that
breeds thro' the next and the fucceeding fum-
mcr ; 1 the rather think lb, becauie at times I

have

1 6 A Defer tptton of the

have had Stocks die or dwindle away ;
for which no other reafon could be afilgned,
but the death of the Queen ; none being
found upon examination in the hive, though
there was plenty of honey. This may, per-
haps, explain why fometimes in the fpring
Bees delert a plentiful hive ; the Queen
being dead before any royal eggs were de-
poiited.

CHAPTER ir.

A Description cf the Drones and
Common Bees.

26. ' i ^H E common Bees (fig. 3). be-
Jl^ ing fo Well known, need no other
defcription than that they are of no fex,
being neither male nor female. Thefe are
generally, and indeed truly and emphatically
called the Workhig Bees.

37. The Drones, (fig. 2.) as we have be-
fore obferved, are the males : they are both
larger and longer tlian the common Bees,
but fliaped nearly like them. They are
'without flings ; inftead of which, their tail
end contains the diftinguidiing characfleriftic
of their fex : and which mere preiTure will

force

Drones and Common Bees. 17

force out of their body. They have no fangs,
and are more tender than the Workers.
Eight or ten hundred of thefe are found in
a good Stock, whofe fole defignation is th€
fervice of the Queen.

37. The tongue of the Drones being
jQiortcr than that of the workers, difables
them from fucking honey from the flowers,
and therefore they are obliged to be fullain-
ed by the honey laid up in the hives. Ex-
cept payiiig their court to the Queen, they
do no work ; neither do they ftir out of the
hive until the fun has warmed the air, and
invites them by it's fplendor. The fweets
of love, a plentiful and delicious table, and
a {hort life, but free from care, from fick-?
nefs, and from anxiety, is their happy lot.
Confidered only in this point of viev/, who
would not wifh to be a Drone ? ;

38. Some have thought, that the bo-
dily heat of the Drones, is neceflary in hatch-
ing the brood : but I could never obferve
them in the leaft attentive to that point.
Befides, it is well known that great numbers
of Bees are bred early in the fpring, long be-
fore any Drones are hatched, and when the
air is much colder than when tliefe ap-
pear j as ahb long after they are expelled
the hives.

39. Several authors are alfo miflaken
in atiirming that the brood is wholly depo-
lited in the center of the combs. Numbers
of my Stocks have yearly extended their
breeding cells quite to the edges of the

C combs.

i8 A Description of the

combs, and clofe to the windows of the boxeg^

without fuffering any prejudice. Thorly

agrees with me m this oblervation.
> 40i I particularly notice this, becaufe
it has been a point of conlequence in the
conftru6lion and arrangement of boxes ; and
thereby has occafioned more trouble and ex-
pence than otherwife would have been ne-
celTary -, but as the principle has no folid
foundation ; a peculiar conftiu61ion of boxes
for that pitrpoje muft be necdlcfs. The
truth is, the Bees breed in our climate ra-
ther too faft than too flow. And they often
die in backward fprings by having a great
number of young mouths to feed from too
fcanty a larder.

41, The age of a Bee, confidfred fingly,
feems to be that of a year ; although a
Stock, if the combs did not become too foul>
might exift for centuries, that is, by J'uc-
cej/ion ; juft as the human race do in popu-
lous cities J while fome are hourly taken off
by age, accident, or infirmities, others are
rifing into life and manhood, to repair thefc
nnavoidab-le, and even neceiTary breaches of
mortality.

42. Young Bees may be diftinguiflied
from tlie old by their being of a lighter brown
colour. Old Bees are more red or dark,
T-'he wings of the young are intire ; but
thofe of the old lliagged and torn by their
unremitted labours. A Bcejuft hatched has
"a great belly, ftuffed out with the fuftenance
It took whilfl a maggot. By thefe marks

may

Drones and Common Bees. 19

may be diflinguifhed in a fwarm the old,
the young, and the middle aged.

43. Bees have a quick and an extenfive
fmell, either of honey, or honey dews; but
are not dilgufted with fmells that are dif-
agreeable to us, if not within their hives.
In the fpring they are often fecn Tipping in
drains, and places wetted with urine. Tar
they are fond of, and if in their reach will
injure their honey w^ith it.

44. By their acute faculty of fmelling (or
perhaps by a fenfe of which we can have no
idea) they diftinguifli the Bees of their own
hive from any others ; and know from the
fmell the death of any of their companions
crudicd or killed about the hive, and will
purfue the murderer with unrelenting ven-
geance.

45. They flop up with a kind of gum-
relin, called propolis, all the holes or cre-
vices of their hives. Therefore the fewer
there are of fuch in the hives, the more it will
eafe them, and prevent a lofs of time and
labour which might be employed more to
our profit.

46. They foreknow impending florms,
at fuch times crouding to their hives fo thick
that the door-ways cannot admit them faffc
enough. They work day and night in the
hive, taking repofe by turns j hanging upon
each other by their claws between the
combs. They alfo ha\% figns by which
they communicate their wants or defires to
each other.

C 2 47. They

20 A Description of the

AfTj. They are the mofl cleanly of alt
creatures (except a Dutch woman) iuffering
no, dirt,, filth, or any other offenfive tiling
in their hives. Their own nccelfary dii-
charges are performed as they fly, and never
in their hive, unlefs compelled thereto by
an injudicious clofing up of their hives,
which generally occafions their death.

48. They are very fierce, and prone to
revenge, when provoked; as they v/ill be
by ftrangers flanding too near the entrance
of their hives, or when any buftle is made
near them. Their irritability proceeds from
a fuppofition of fome injury being defigned
againft their flatc ; for otherwile they are
not apt to fting. Vv^hen at u didance from
their hive» you may beat them from fiower
to flower, and molefl: them while in their
induftrious purfuits j they will then bear it
with exemplary patience, nor ihew the leaf::
refentment, no not even (liould you catch
them in your hand, provided you do not
prefs them.

49. ^hcy foon becotne acquainted with
a perfon who frequents their hives, and feems
attentive to pleale them by his cjilm and
deliberate deportment. They readily will
diilinpuifli him from anv other perlon. So
far from offering him a!n' infult, thev will
often light upon him as a mark of their
afi"e6Lion'. lie may even lay his hand at the
iTiO uKs of their hive^s, and they will pafs
over it without the ieafl rei'entment. But
Iho'j.'d "this* fame perfjn in any manner dif-

turh

Drones and Common Bees. 21

tuib the hive, inftcintly frienddiip and har-
mony are deiiroyed, the pride of their Httle
hearts riies, and they are tilled with an^er ai^d
revenge.

5c. Molt creatures grow tame to the
hand that feeds them ; not fo the bees, if in
doing of it, their hive be in the leail diiturb-
ed : for no creatures arc fo fond of peace and
quietnefs.

51. Not that they will bear malice long
with the perfon they have been once familiar
with, for in two or three days they will
forget the greateft injury he can have done
them, and be as cordial with him as ever;
but not fo with cafual vilitors, by whom,
if once affronted, it is a great chance, but
that come near them whenever they will.
attempts will be made to give them the mod
exquifite pain, by Ringing their eyes or nofe.
As the llinging of Bees is fometimes at-
tended with fatal confequences to men and
beaft, it will by no means' be improper to
make a diflind: Chapter of fo very important
a fubiedt.

C 3 CHAPTER

( 22 )

CHAPTER III.

Of the Stinging o/" B e e s .

S the Bees, though a diminutive peo-
ple, are armed with weapons which,
though fmall, are fo venomous as often to
flrike men of gigantic might with terror,
it is highly proper to confider, before we
attempt any familiarity with them, how to
defend ourfelves from them ; and to know
/ when wounded, how to apply a proper
remedy.

t^'^. Many perfons through an unreafon-
able dread, cannot fuffer a Bee to come near
them, without being flurried; and in this
ilate of confufion and terror provoke thefe
otherwife inofFenfive infecfls to fling them.,
by llriking at them. This treatment always
raifes their refentmcnt ; which when thus
excited, generally continues for fcvcral days;
and while it lafts, the Bees will purfue the.
offender from one end of a garden to the
other.

54. The bcil: way, where they come buz-
zing about you, is xo wave your h.vnd gently
before your face, and make a low retreat;
or ftooping down, to thrufl your head among
herb?, fhrubs, or the like; this will be a
fufhcient fecurity 'till their anger is abated,

and

Of the StIxVGIxVG of Bees. 23

and they have retired from you. Tliis be-
haviour will conciliate a more peaceable ae-
nieanor towards you another time ; and a
repetition of it will procure you their friend-
fliip.

^^, Not but there are fome perfons
againlt whom Bees will have an invincible
antipathy, however calmly and inoffenlively
they may have always behaved to them. In^
ftances of this fort have very frequently
fallen under my obfervation. Neither has
a change of colour in their clothes in the
leart diminitlied their rancour, but they would
iiili follov^/ them in every part of the gardea
from day to day. Whether this diflike pro-
ceeds from fomething difagreeable in the
countenance, or in the effluvia of the body,
is hard to determine. But it is very clear
that fuch perfons mu{> never think of be-
coming Apiators *, or managers of Bees*
Nor indeed any other perfon who cannot
command his temper v.hile employed about
them.

56. The Bees are ufed to a mild pa-
rental government, to peace, and quietnefs ;
and like fome of the heroes of antiquity,
will never fubmit to t)'ranny or violence,
but will refill unto death.

57. In windy or other difagreeable wea-
ther, which difcompofes them, or hinders

C 4 their

• The ^(ioption of this appellation I hope will be ex-
cufed, as wo have no Untrlc word exprcfliv'c oi the
meanir.c:.

24 Of the Stinging of Bees.

their labours, they become very fretful and
quarrelfome ; at fuch times, v/hoever loiters
about their hives will be fure to fmart for
their temerity. So likewife in very hot days,
and when there is plenty of honey gathering,
their eagernefs is io great, that (landing be-
fore their hives as it obilruds their paffage
to and fro, will be deemed an affront.

58. Hair and feathers are difagreeable
to Bees. But fuftian, velvet, and leather,
are deftrudllvd. For from fuch fubftances,
they cannot withdraw tlieir flings, but, to-
gether with them, leave part of their bowels,
and thus foon die. On the contrary, from
linen and woollen apparel, they readily
difengage their ftings, and without receiving
any harm. The degree of the inflammation
produced by the flinging of a Bee, varies in
a double proportion to that peculiirity found
in different conflitution?, and to the quan-
tity of venom injeded. In fame people the
flightefi: fcratch, or fmallell: pundl:ure, fnall
prove highly painful, and be ditiicuUIy
cured ; while in others much deeper wounds
fliall prefeniiy heal without any inconve-
nience. So in fome the flinging of a Bee
v/ill immediately occafion a very painful tu-
mour over great part of the body j in others
it will be attended with very little pain, and
but a fmall fwelling, both which ibon fub--
fide ; except the wound be made in a very
len lible part, as the eyes. To me their
flinging is of trifling confequence ; I had ra-
ther be flung by ten Bees on my hands, than

Ofic^

O/* //^^ Stinging ^Z' Bees. 23;

onceby a flinging nettle. Befides, the Bees are
not at all times equally vigorous, lb that in
proportion to tlie heat of the weather, and
the degree of their anger, a larger or fr.ailer
portion of venom will be inje<fted. Nor can
a Bee llincr more than three times : as its ve-
noni will then be quite exhaulled.

£;9. When a Bee has Hung any one, it is
be^ to have patience, and permit it to with-
draw its fting, which otherwife will be left
behind, andthewound be thereby made 1. re<:r.
One method of cure is, to prefs withfome fone
the hollow end of a key over the wound ; this
operates by forcing cut the venom, and pre-
venting its being conveyed by the abforbent
vefieis into the circulation. Another .method
is, with the flap of a woollen coat, or piece
of woollen cloth with the knap on, to rub
the wound briilcly backwards and forwards,
in the fame direction as the veins, now and
then wetting the wound with a little fpittle,
to prevent the fretting of the (km, and to
continue the friftion until there be a ctifation
of the fmarting. Or it will be much better
perhaps, to rub the wound with the woollen
cloth only one w-ay, vie. downwards on the
arms, legs, and trunk of the body; but up-
wards on the face, neck, and breall ; by this
means the venom will be more thoroughly
preifed out and abfurbed by the cloth ; and
its entrance into the abforbent lyitcm more
effe(5tually prevented.

60. But if the wound be not immediately
rubbed, this method will be ufelefs, as

the

26 Of the Stivging of Bees.

the poifon will have penetrated too far. In
this cafe recourfe muft be had to fome pene-
trating remedy. Among a Ifnultitude of
herbs, oils, chemical preparations, &c. that
have been tried, the following compofitions
have been found the moft efficacious, from
my own perfonal experience, as well as that
oi many others.

Take of common linfeed oil two parts^
vinegar of fquils one part,
honey one part ;
thefe are to be well Ihaken together. The
more Ipeedily this is applied, the more fa-
lutary it will prove. Rub it hard in and about
the wound with your finger, as long as any
fmart is felt ; and at times afterwards, if any
fwelling or inflammation remains, this com-»
poiitioa will not wholly prevent a tumour^
but it will greatly lefl'en it and alleviate the
pain.

6i. But in general, fweet fpirit of vi-
triol, rubbed well in, will more effedually
prevent any pain or fwelling; and may be
applied to the moft fenfible parts, even to
the eyesj with fafety. But in proportion to
the flrength of the infed, the quantity of
venom injeded, the lapfe of time before the
remedy is applied, and the irritability of the
habit, will be the quantity of fpirit ne-
cciTary to a cure. It is not the rubbing a
little on will eftedit, but as long as any fwell-
ing rifes, or any pain is felt, fo long muft
tiie embrocation be continued f and ^vdxi

after

Of the Stinging of Bees. 27

after an intermiflion, if either (hould return,
the remedy mull again be had recourie to.

62. There have been too many melan-
choly inftances of perfons, as well as cattle,
that have been flung to death by Bees. Per-
haps the following dired:ions may in future,
at leall in fome cafes, prevent fo fatal an
accident.

When a perfon is fuddenly befetby thefe in-
fe(Sls, that have been by any means enraged,
if any houfe, flable, or the like be near, he
fhould run and fhut himfelf up in the dark-
eft part of it, and with his handkerchief
bruOi oiFas many of the Bees as he can. But if
they be very numerous, and any other per-
fon within call, water (hould be poured
over him to wafli them off, as bruflii ng
will caufe fome of them to fting. Where
no affifcant is nigh, after having been fhut
up a little while, and having brufhed off all
he could, he {hould run away as fwiftly as
poffible to get out of their fight, and imme-
diately afterwardi) apply, fome of the above
remedies ; or, for want of them, any kind of
fweet oil, or frefli greafe, that can be firft
obtained, Ihould be rubbed upon the wounds,
until a better remedy can be procured.

63. Where no buildings are nigh, he
fliould hide his head, and his whole body,
if it can be done, in a hedge, or among
bufhes, or the like. If none of thefe be nigh
enough to fave him, plunging into a pond
of water will prefently free him trom
them. Or f:;r want of that the throwing

up

•28 Of the Stinging of Befj.

up of water brifkly with his hands (o as to
iail over himfeif and the Bees, will induce
them to retreat, thinking it a fhovver of rain.
But if no water be near at hand, the throwing
up of duft may perhaps have the fame effed:. ■

64. When only a few Bees have fettled
on any perfon, let him cover his head and
neck as- well and as clofe as poffible with his
clothes i and if theTe be thick enough to
prevent the flings from penetrating, the Bees
may foon be driven away by throwing dull
or water over them. Care, however, mud
be taken to keep this covering {q clofe by
one hand, or any other faftening, that none
of the infed:s may be able to infinuate them-
felves under it. \i the head and neck be
well fecured, fuch wounds as maybe tMt-
where inflided cannot be fatal ; neither can
a few flings received in the face, before it
could ^ be covered. And fuch Bees as may
have previouHy fettled on the head and face,
can eafjly and prefently be cruihed to death
by prcffing the covering againft them. If
there be nothing elfe within reach, the face
muft be covered with both hands, fecuring
tlie eyes, nofe, and mouth in particular.

65. Whenever any one is very much
flung, he fliould be put to bed as foon as
poliible. And befides being bathed as before
diredcdj. he fhould drink plentifully of baum
tea, water-gruel, or other thin cooling and
laxative drink, in which the juici of cur-
rants, apples, oranges, Sec. may be fqueezed.
He Hiould eat but little of any thing, and
no animal food. If there be much in-
flammation.

Of the Stinging c/" Bees. 29

flammation, and the patient be fevcrifli^
blood fliould be taken away as ibon as poiTible;
and fuch other medicines be exhibited as a
ikilful medical gentlenian may think necellai y,

66. When a perlon h^iS the misfortune
to be flung in the throat, while medical af-
iiflance is fetching, with all poffiblc fpeed,
fome mild oil fhould be gradually fwalloweJ,
or for want of this melted Irelli butter, or
even greafe, if nothing elfe is to be had j.
for nut a moment muft be loll:. As loon as
the medicine compufed of fweet oil, vinegar
of fquils, and honey, can be prepared,* the
the patient muft fwailow fom^e of it gradually.
Where vinegar of fquils cannot fpeedily be
procured, good common vinegar may lupply
its place.

bj. But it mufl carefully be obferved,
that the cautions and diredions already given
are not to extend to fwarms of Bees, that
peaceably and without, any provocation leave
their hives of their own accord, and fettle ap-
on any one. For then, iftheeyes, nofe, and
mouth be fecured with the hands or a hand-
kerchief, they will alight on him without
doing the leaft prejudice, provided he re-
mains intirely palnve aiid ftijl, until tiiey
have all fettled. He may tlien gently walk
with them, until a hive can be obtained,
which bemg rubbed on the in fide, at the
top onlyt with a mixture of iugar and ale,

and

* This I have known fucceed : but the fweet fpii it of
vitriol 1 have not ytt h.-cl any opportunity of trying,
tho' a tea fpoonrui or two n-^ay be taken in a little w:'.tt'r.

30 Of the Stinging of Bees.

and held over him as near as poffible, where
the Bees are mod numerous, the greater pcirt
will foon afcend ; he fhould then walk to
fome diftance from the hive, and thofe Bees
that yet remain upon him, milling their
companions, will foon quit their ftation to
join them, unlefs the Queen (hould happen
to remain behind ; in this cafe, th:; Bees
mud be taken off with a fpoon (384) and put
into the hive.

68. But if inftead of obferving this
peaceable behaviour, he fhould be flurried,
and miftaking or flightmg their intended
friendfhip, (liould ftrike at, or endeavour to
beat them off, they will revenge the affront
fo as to endanger his life.

69. It is very probable that cattle on
fuch occafions, may be excited to refent-
ment; and although in fetling on them they
do not fting, yet their crawling may give the
creatures fome uneafy fenfationand caufe them
to be very tefty, and by endeavouring to brufli
them off, excite the Bees to iling them. In
this Cc:fe, or any other, where cattle are acci-
dentally befet with Bees, or Wafps, ^q,
they fhould be driven with the greateft ex-
pedition to fome pond, where they may, if
poffible, be covered with water, and the parts
that are not fo, muft have plenty of water
thrown on them, to wa£h off as many Bees as
poffible, at the fame time brifkly throwing up
water among fuch Bees as continue the at-
tack. As foon as the inraged infcd:s are re-
treated, bruil: off with wet twigs thofe Bees

that

Of the Stinging ^ Bees, 31

that remain on the animals. When there
is no water at hand drive them into a hedge,
or which is ftill better into a ftable.

70. If an animal be very much iiung,
bathe the parts affed:cd with any oil or greale
that can be fooneft got, that the poifon may
have lefs time to Ipread ; whatever is uied
ihould be well and long rubbed in, and re-
peated very often until the inflammation
fubfides. And if the remedies before
mentioned be ufed, the cure will be more
certain and fpeedy. Bleeding is proper if the
inflammation be great, or the creature ap-
pears to be in great torture or convulfions.

71. A drink Hiould be given him, of
thin oatmeal gruel, in which two ounces
of fait petre have been dilTolved : this fliould
be repeated at three or four hours diftance ;
it will contribute to diminifh the inflam-
mation and alleviate the pain.

72. As it is impoiTible but thofe that
manage' Bees mufl fometimes be ftung, and
that ieverely too, unlefs they have fome
proper defence ; and as fuch a Safeguard may
be provided at a fmall expence, no Apiator
ought in good policy to be without one.

73. The faffguard confllis of a hood
madeof fuch thin open cloth as milk is ufually
ftrained through; anyotherthin lightcloth will
do well enough. Head annour compofed
of this kind of materials will not be very bur-
thenfome, and is futliciently cool. It muft
be big enough to go over a man's hat, and
round the neck, lo as to tie before, with a

32 Of the Stinging c/' BfifiSa

firing running through a tape or loop holes.
That part of it which is oppofite the face
mufl be cut out, and a piece of very open
gauze, cat-gut, or what is iTiUch better and
Itronger a caul of which barbers make the
infide of their wigs, muft be fewed therein*
Crape or niullin will too much obftru(fl. the
fight, when kept at the proper diftance,
which mufl be fo great that no Bee can reach
the face with its Uing The hat mud: have
narrow brims about two inches wide, and
unilrung.

Great care muft be taken in ufing this
hood, that it be drawn round the neck
fo tight that no Bee can pafs underneath it,
and that the part below the neck extends as
far as the coat. If there be the leall; open-
ing left fufficient for the Bees to get under,
they will find it out, and before it can be
loolencd prove worfe tormentors than if there
had been no defence at all. Therefore let
the firing be tied with a bow knot, fo that
if there 1^ occafion, it may be inftantly un-
tied and thrown off.

74. A pair of tanned, or other thick
leather gloves will be a fufficient defence for
the hands ; but thefe mud be long enough
to cover the fleeves of the coat, fo that no
Bee can get up the arms. To which let
us add, thick yarn flockings over another
common pair. A man thus armed is able
to encounter the greatclt army the Bees can
bring againrt: him. If women intermeddle
with Bees, it Will be proper to defend their

necks

Of the Stinging of Bees. 3^

necks and bofoms, by putting on a man's
coat, together with the head drefs.

75. As this armour is of trifling ex-
pence, and will laft a life, no perlbn who
keeps Bees ought to he without it.' With
this defence he may turn up their hives,
examine, afTift, and move them upon
any occafion, or at any time, without
the leart: fmart or the leaft danger. Or
fliould Wafps or Bees befet any cattle, with
this armour, he may fafely go among tliem,
and deftroy them.

^6. But a fmall apparatus will do, for
any bufmefs about the Bees, that does not
much diflurb them. This may be made of
a fmall hoop, wide enough to extend round
the face, and three quarters of an inch deep,
with a piece of woollen cloth fpread over it,
and tacked to its edges, fo as to let about an
inch of the cloth hang over. A piece of the
front muft be cut out, and fome net-work
fewed in as before diredled for the hood; a
narrow piece will do, placed dired:ly oppofite
the eyes. A bead, or fome fuch contrivance,
fliould be fewed oppofite the mouth part to
hold by, in manner of a ma{k.

77. This will fufficiently defend the face,
but cfpecially the eyes. For fingle Bees,
when the, are angry, generally aim at them,
and at that time, will fting no where elfe.
Perfons accuftomed to the language of Bees,
know what tones they ufe when they are
determined to lling. The war-whoop is then
founded, that every one may fland upon the

D defence.

^4 Q/ ^'^^ A ? I A R y, or

ci<i'i^\\zt. It is much eafier to prevent an evil
than to cure it.

78. Among poor cottagers, who keep
Bees, one or two of thefc fafe-guards or
armour in a villap;e or neiijhbourhood will
be fufiicient for the whole, by lending them
to each other.

CHAPTER IV.

Of //6i?. Apiary, or F lace to keep Bees in,

79' '^"^HE next objeifl of confideration
^ to a perfon intending to keep
Bees, is a proper fituation for his Apiary.
The fituation of it, whether yard or garden,
fhould be as open as poffible to the Ibuth ;
that the fronts of the hives may have as
inuch of the fun as poflible. But if the hives
cannot be fet full fouth, fouth-weil: is more
eligible than fouth-'.^ill ; and this lail is bet-
ter than north or eail. From repeated ob-
fervations it has been found, that the more
fun the Bees have the more vigorous they
are, and that they work with the greater
ardour.

80. Let them be placed fo near the
dwelling houfe as to be in view of the

room

Place to keep Bees i?i. 25

room moft occupied. Any dilliirbance or
accident, will then be the more readily per-
ceived. Neither will there be a conilant ne-
cefTity to employ a perlbn on purpofe to
watch the riling of the Swarms, bat only as
occalion may require. Beiides thefe advan-
tages, the Bees will be familiarized to the
fight of the family, and thereby become
more tame and traiitable.

8i. The Apiary fliould be defended from
the n(>rthern and eaftern winds, either by
buildings, walls, or by clofe and high hedges ;
thefe winds are prejudicial to the Bees in many
relpedls. The bell: hedge for this purpofe
is the quick or white thorn, permitted to
grow high, after being firll: plaiLtd and in-
termixed with female lime trees, as the
flowers of thefe as v/ell as of the quick furnifh
fubiiitence for the Bees. It muft aUb be fo
ftrongly fenced round that no cattle or poultry
can approach the Stocks. The firft, by
throwing them down, will endanger their
own lives, and occafjon the lofs of the Stocks,
And the dung of the others, and their room-
ing upon the hives will prove fo difgufting to
the Bees, as to make them fometimes rc-
linquidi their hives j but at belt they will
not thrive io well.

82. Neither niuft thev ftand under the
dripping or fhade ot trees efpecially of yews^
ciders, or laurels. Nor fhould any weeds
or filthinefs be fuffered near the hives, as
harbouring numberlefs vermin, and other
enemies to thefe indu/lricus and cleanly in-
D 2 fects.

^6 Of the K V I A K y, or

iedls. An Apiary fliculd not be near rivers,
ponds, or large tubs of water, as many of the
Bees will be blown therein and drowiu^-d.

83. The quantity of ground to be al-
lotted for the Apiary, mufl: be in proportion to
the number of Stocks intended to be kept.
Houfes will be necefiary if boxes are to be
ufcd. But tliefe are too expenfive for ge-
neral ufe, or where numerous Stocks are to
be kept : draw hives therefore in thefe cafes,
are preferable, being much cheaper, as they
will anfwer the purpofe as well, and re-
quire neither cot nor houfe.

84. From long experienc:', it is flrongly
recommended to fet the Stocks at fome dif-
tance apart, and upon feparate (lands. By
this precaution much quarreling, and fome-
times daughter, will be prevented, as they
will be lefs liable to miftake their habita-
tions on any critical occalion, which may
oblige tljcm to return from the fields with
great precipitation.

Another advantage arifin": from this dlf-
pofition is, that by being feparate they are
not near fo cuarrelfome with each other, or
with the Apialor. And not only this; but
he can alfo go more fafely and conveniently
behind lht\T\, for which there is often an ab-
folute necclfity, without giving or receiving
any offence.

Z^. But though the hives are to be placed
feparate from each other, it is by no means
meant, that fome fliould be in one Ipot of
ground and fome in another. No; they

mud

Tldce to keep Bees In. 37

mufl: be altogether in one view, that in the
Ivvarming feafon, the Bee-herd, or perfon
who watches thetn, may readily difiinguiili
any Swarm that fliall arife, otherwife ibn:ie
will be inevitably lofl-.

86. The country people generally place
their Bee Stocks in cots or little hovels, up-
on flielves one above another, and againlli
Vv^alls or pales, Vv'ithout any opening behind;
So that the getting at them is like llorm-
ing a lion's dL<tx\, And to add to the ab-
furdity, the {helves are fo near to each other,
that a hive cannot be raifed, be the necef-
fity ever fo great. Thefe cots are likewiie an
inticing (lielter for numberlefs vermin, who
imperceptibly plunder and deftroy the Stocks;
and the fault is laid to witchcraft, bad luck,
and other myflical caufes (241.). Another
great fault is the fuffering rank weeds to grow
about the (lands ; and being fo negligent
as not to keep the floor and ftands cleaa
bru(hed.

87. The form of the firands for ftraw
hives fliould be triangular (fig. 12.). Let
three frrong flakes of found wood, of about
two feet in length, be drove into the ground,
conformable to that figure, fo that from the
outfide of each flake there be fourteen inches
diflance, and the flakes are to ftand fixteeii
inches above the ground. The tops of the
flakes mull: be on a level with each other,
or rather the front flakes fliould be half an
inch lower, fo that when the hive is fet on,
the diipping of rain may pals freely off, and

D 3 noc

3B Of the Apiary, or

not run Into the entrance of the "hive. Flat
pieces of wood are to be nailed acrofs the
top of the ftakcs, fo that the floors of the
hives may ftand ii:m -, but the floors are not
to be nailed on, for reafons hereafter given,
(490). Were the ll:ands made higher, the
hives would be more liable to be injured
by high winds, or in cafe of being thrown
down by accident, of receiving greater da-
mage by the fall j and not only fc, but at this
heigh th they are more conveniently ma-
naged.

88. The flands ought to be five feet, but at
lead four, every way from each other, and fet
in regular or uniform rows; where the ground
will conveniently admit ofit, feven or eight feet
diilance between each hive will be flill more
eligible; but when placed at a fmaller di-
ilance than four feet, there is no poflibility
of going among the rows to handle the hives
without affronting the Bees of thofe behind;
and they are a people of too great confe-
quence to be unneceflarily affronted.

89. Some gentlemen may, perhaps, difap-
prove of firau- hives in their gardens, as being
unfightly; but, if the tiiangular iupporters
be m.adc handiome, and tlie hives themfelves
be concealed by a. wooden cafe, or only front
and fides formed of painted pannels, or by
any other fmart and pleafing contrivance, that
objection will be obviated. And if the ftands
be placed at any confiderable diflance from
the walks, there will never be any danger of
the Bees flinging the company, provided they

.. ' do

Places to keep Bees in. 3^

do oot incautioufly approach too near the
hives. Or a hedge may loon be formed round-
the Apiary, of fyriiigoes, fo as to intercept the
view. But this hedge muft be placed at
fuch a dillance from the front of the hives as
not to keep the fun from them. .

\ 90. The bottoms -^floors for the hives —
C (fig. ^.) fhould be of well feafoned yellow
-^deal, at lead an inch thick, but an inch and
an half will bear the weather better, and is
not fo hable to warp. The fli.jpe of the floor
is to be round, or at leall a fquare with the
corners rounded off; its diameter fourteen
inches. Where boards of a due wrdth can-
not be readily procured, two pieces glued,
tenanted, or rabbited together, may fuffice.
But to all floors two flips of wood muil: be
nailed underneath, to prevent the wood from-
carting : this precaution mull: not be ne-
glected, it being of much conlequence to-
wards the prefervation of the Bees. And
therefore, fliould any crevices, feams, or fif-
fures afterwards appear, they mull be timely
ftopped up with putty or fome other cement.

91. The upper parts of the floors mufl:
be planed fmooth and even, fo that when
the hive is fet on there may be- no vacancy
between the ediie and the floor. But if the
floor be planed a little fhelving, or level, with-
in half an inch of the edge, it will prevent
the water from fl:anding or running under
the edges of the hive.

92. A fm< 11 flip of wood, about Ave
inches long and two broad, (fig, S!^ will be ^

D 4 ^"^""^ required

40 Of the Apiary, &;c.

required as an alighting-board for the Bees
to pitch on when they return from the fields.
It may be fufficiently faflened on by means,
of two pegs of wood, or pieces of thick wire,
driven into its edge, and then fixed in the
proper correfponding holes made in the
front edge of the floor; the joining will
not be fo clofe as to prevent the rain from
dropping between, and will thereby fecure the
board from any fettled moifture that may
prejudice the Bees. If the alighting-board
be made out of the folid wood of the floor,
many inches, mufl: neceffarily and needlefsly
be cut to wafl;e \ whereas any fmall piece
of refufe wood of the above dimenfions will
in fad: do better, and be a conflderable
faving in a number of hives.

93. As threatening fl:orms frequently pre-
cipitate the return of the Bees fo much as
to occafion their miftaking their own hives,
and thereby bring on quarrels and battles,
it will be worth while, in order to prevent
this, to paint each alighting-board of different
colours, by which the hives will be more
eaflly diflinguilhed from each other by the
Bees before they pitch. And the paint will
prove both prefervative and ornamental.

CHAPTER

[ 41 ]
CHAPTER V.

Of the B E E -H O U S E.

94. ^ g * HOSE who are defirous of fa-
J_ tisiying the laudable curiofity of
minutely obierving the operations of thefe
wonderful infeds, muft be provided with
proper boxes ; as fuch indeed are indifpen-
iably necelTary for this purpofe. A hoiij'e alfo
will be equally ufeful to preferve both boxes
and Bees from the extremes of the different
feafons.

95. A houfe capable of containing four
Stocks, will be fully fufficient to gratify
the moft inquilitive mind in every thing
relative to Bees. For real utility, ftraw hives
of a proper conftrudion, which anfwer the
purpofe full as well, and require no houfe,
are alfo much cheaper, and may be as cafily
and //^// as profitably managed, as boxes of
any kind whatever.

96. Diredions for the conilrudion of
a houfe to contain four Stocks in the ftory
method ; The front to face the fouth. The
length eight feet four inches. Height in front
five feet. Behind five feet fix inches. Breadth
one foot two inches. Floor, two feet from
the ground. Three ftiles, each four inches
wide, and long enough to extend from the
roof to the bottom.

Fear

42 Of the Bee-House.

Four doors, each one foot ten inches in
wl'dth, and of the fame length as the lilies,
to which they are to be \\\.\\\^ by hinges,
one door to the right h.ind ftile, and another
to the left, in n)anner of folding doors, ihnt-
ting in a rabbet.

Openings or parages for the Bees, are to
be cut out of the front, beginning at fix
inches diftance from each flile, and are to be
in length four inches, and one inch and a half
high from the floor. Thefe are intended
to correfpond with the like openings in the
boxes. There are to be fimilar door-ways ten
inches and a half in height from the floor.
But this height fuppoles the bars of the
boxes thcee quarters of an inch thick, and the
Icofe floors of the boxes the fame.

97. The boxes are deflgned to fl:and
within fix inches of each end ; and be-
tween every two boxes, is to be a vacancy
of flxteen inches ; but betwixt the boxes
that fland on each fide of the middle fl:ile,
there will be only eight inches. The boxes
are twelve inches wide ; fo that there will
be two boxes, and a fpace between them
of fixteen inches, oppofite each pair of fold-
ing doors. If a houfe is to be made for a
larger number of boxes, the fame model
and proportions are to be obferved through-
out.

98. The floor is to be laid one foot ten
inches diflant from the ground. It fliould
be upon a level, that the boxes may fland
Arm, but tlie boards need not. be planed,

if

Of the Bee-Houses. 43

if loofe bottoms be ufeu to tbe hives, as I
have reco in mended (90.) otherwiTe the houfe
floor mull be made very fmooth, and no
joinings or feams, unlefs ftrongly glewed or
cemented in tliofe parts vv'here the boxes are
to ftand. 1 he floors (liould be well fup-
ported by very llrong rails ; as fometimes the
weight will be very conliderable.

99. The four corner pofts fhould be
ftrong and of good found wood (oak will be
beil) and well fixed in the ground.

100. The front muR be boarded quite
clofe : but it muft be particularly obferved
that within lide it muft be quite even and
liuih from end to end. Feather-edge board-
ing therefore in this part, cannot be ad-
mitted, but the boards fliould be rabbeted
into each other, to prevent {lorn>s of rain or
fnow from driving thro' the joinings. The
reafon for having the front infide perfectly
even, is becaufe the boxes are to ftand fo
clofe againfl: it, that a Bee cannot pafs be-
tween the box and the front, and thereby
get into the houfe, and alfo becaufe it is
neceffary thefe boxes (liould fometim.es be
moved to the right or kfr, as well as at
other times one upon another.

ici. The roof may be covered w'ith
feather- edged boards, or aiiy other materials
that will keep out the wet. The dropping
of which is intended to be in the front, and
where it will be no inconvenience to the
\^tt^y if the roof be made fo as to proje(fl
two inches beyond the face of the lioufe;
-• but

44 Q/' ^^^ Bee-House.

but if the dropping be on the back, it wilt
be very inconvenient to the Apiator in many
of his operations behind. The two ends
are to be intirely clofed with boards. And
ahghting-boards are to be lixed in the front
to every pafiage or door-way, exacflly in
the fame manner as diredted for the {Iraw
hives (92.).

102. The houfe fhould be wtll painted;
for this will not only be ornamental, but, by
preferving the wood-work, be a confiderable;
laving in the end. Different colours (hould
alfo be painted over the feverai paffages ;.
which will be a very good index to the
Bees, and keep them from miflaking their
refpe<6tive habitations. It will likewife be
very ufeful to paint the number of every Stock
over the door- way.

103. How greatly foever, / may think
the iiory method preferable, there may be
perfons of a different opinion, and who may
therefore choofe the collateral method ; viz.
that in v.'hich the boxes are placed fide by
lide. To meet therefore their wiHies, we
have thought proper to give the following
defcription ; and hope it will be acceptable.

104. A collateral houfe of four Stocks,
muft be in length fix feet. Height in the
fore front fix feet ; back front fix feet fix
inches; breadth one foot two inches. Three
fliles, each four inches wide.

Two doors ; one to each pair of boxes,
and each door two feet fix inches wide.
The houfe to have two floors.

Bottom

Of the B E E ' H 0 u s E . 45

Bottom fjoor, two feet high from the
ground.

Upper floor, t^^'0 feet above that.

105. The door- ways or paflages are to
begin feven inches from each Aiie ; each paf-
fage to be four inches in length, and one
inch and an half high. But as each pair of
boxes are to ftang dole together, or lide by
iide, the door- ways of each pair of boxes
will be nearer together than in the ftory-
houfe ; and nmilur paiTages are to be made
for the upper fioiT ; for two Stocks are in-
.tended to Hand on the bottom, and two on
the upper floor.

106. No doubt th°re will be a defire of
fetting glalTes on tiie tops of thefe boxes in
a llmilar manner to thole of the fiory me-
thod. For this reafon it is, that a foot in
heiglu is left in each ftory above the boxes
for [hat purpofe. But if there be no inten-
tion of ufin^;^ glalles, the houfes may be made
16 inches lower.

107. Let it be obferved, that this houfe,
an<i that before defcribed, are formed upon a
fcale adapted to the hze of my boxes. But
where larger boxes are intended, the houfe
mufl be made in proportion to the lize. Gen-
tlemen of fortune may have thefe houfes
built in a very handfome manner, and orna-
mented according to their own taftcj but
great care n.ull be taken not to alter or de-
part from the fcale of dimenfions. .

108. The fpaces left between each pair
of boxes are for their more commodious

removal.

46 Form ^Z' Bee -Boxes.

removal, efpecially for the flory boxes ; for
when thefe are to be raifed or feparated, un-
lefs there be a fufficient vacancy to let a fpare
box between, tlie Stock mufl be removed
out of the houfe upon a ilool, and then put
in again, vi^hich prolongs the operation need-
Jefsly, and renders it more troublefome to the
Apiator as vv^ell as to the Bees. However,
fuch as may think fixteen inches between
every other pair of boxes, a needlefs and too
expenfivc a lengtiiening of the houfe, may fo
contra6t the fcale or plan, as to leave only
iix inches between each j fo much room i&
abfolutely neceflary to put the arms between
the boxes whenever they are to be lifted up
or /hifted.

CHAPTER VI.

O/' Bee-Boxes, or Box-Hives.

109. \T 7 E now proceed to the con-
VV ll:ru(5lion of the boxes, (fig. 7.)
which, from a great variety of frequently re-
peated experiments, I have found in every
refped: to be the mod fimple in their contri-
vance, the moft eafy to manage, the moll:
pi-ofitable in their produce, and the mod

moderate

Form £/" Bee-Boxes. 47

moderate in price of any hitherto ofiered to
the public attention ; at the fame time they
are equal, if not fuperior, to any others, for
the amufement and improvement of the iii-
quifitive.

1 10. Thefe are to be made of well fca-
foned yellow deal, or any other thoroughly
feafoned wood, that which is the leaft apt to
warp or fplit, and has likewife the fewefh
knots, is the bed for the purpofe. Each
board muH: be at leall: three quarters of an
inch thick after having been well planed.
Thinner boards will not keep the Bees warm
enough in the winter, and will therefore en-
danger their lives.

111. They are to be in the infide full
nine inches high, and eleven fquare, from
fide to fidft. Therefore allowance muft be
made in the height to receive three bars of
wood, ( fig. tJ o^ the fame thicknefs as*^ T
that of tlieBox ; thefe bars are to extend
from the front to the back ; the middle bar,
(fig. 9.) is to be three inches and a half wide,
and the right and left bars only three inches.
Thefe bars are to be let into the top, fo as to
have four intervals, or openings, a, ^, a, a,

of half an inch between each bar, as well as
between the two fides of the box.

112. There muft be parallel grooves in
the edges of every bar, and in the two fides
of the box ; thefe grooves muft be one-fix-
teenth of an inch deep, and one-twelfth of
an inch wide, in which iron fiidcrs are pro-
pofed to run. To admit which, in the back

of

48 Form c/* Bee-Boxes.

of the box, the ends of the bars are to bs
Jet in flufh with the grooves, while the upper
ends are to be rabbeted^ fo as to be even with
the upper part oF the grooves j a thin fillet
{a. fig. 9.) is then braided upon the rabbets^
vvhich by this management will form four
flits or openings, (fig. by b, b, b,) of the
fame depth as the grooves, and in width
three quarters of an inch, in order to receive
four Aiders, (fig. 10.) nearly of thofe dimen-
fions.

113. But it mufl be noted that the bars
are jiot to be ndiled down to tlie bc-x, they
being intended to be moveable at pleafure.
The greatejl exatlnefs is required in their
dimenfions and conftruftion, or the whole of
their defign will be rendered ufelefs, and
thereby bring the fcheme into diicredit,
though the fault will in reality be in the
bungling carpenter. Few among the coun-
try carjrent-rs (efpecinljy journeymen) have
tools proper for the work.

114. For the grooves fl:iould be made per-
iQ.Qi\y fmooth within fide, and of the exadc
width and depth, therefore cannot be executed
by a tenant or common faw, and the ufual
ploughing irons are too large. If the grooves
are made rough or uneven, the Aiders cannot
run in them with the requifite eafe. Or,
which is equally inconvenient, if too wide
or too deep, they will caufe the Aiders to
run irregularly, and tempt the Bees to
fill them fo full of wax or propolis, as
to prevent the entrance of the Aiders

without

Form ^Bee-Boxes. 49

without great force, thereby greatly difturb-
ing the Bees, and running a great rifque of
ipoiling the operation. After the fillets are
ntted on, they mud be fawed through by a
very fine faw between each bar, fo that the
bars may be taken out fcparately.

115. As the principal intention of the
box-hive is to view the Bees at work, and the
manner of their performing their operations,
there muft be an opening cut in the back
to receive a pane of glafs five, fix, or kwtn
inches fquare, as may be thought con-
venient ; but in general, it will be more
eligible to have the glafs the entire length of
the back, and but two inches and a half wide ;
the upper edge of the glafs to be within four
inches of the top of the box. But where a
more extenfive infpecftion is defired, the two
lides and the back of the box muft be framed,
(as for a falh window) to receive as large
panes of glafs as pofilble, confident with the
required llrength of the box. A greater depth
is required in the upper part of the back
frame than the reft, the more fecurely to let
in the ends of the bars. There muft be alfo
three fhutters, to iliut clofe over the win-
dows, to preferve the hive warm in winter,
and to prevent the light from withdrawing
the attention of the Bees from their
work. Boxes with only one pane of glafs, are
alfo to have ftiutters, (fig. 7. D.) either with
hinges or to Aide in rabbets, both ways, to
right or left; or two fmall (hutters to turn
upon fcrews in their tops, and dividing to

E right

50 Form of Bee -Boxes.

right and left ; they Should meet in a rabbet,
and be fadened by a button at bottom.

116. In the front edges of the boxes,
an opening or door-way mufl be cut out,
four inches long, and three-eighths of
an inch deep This depth is fully fuf-
ficient for the palTage of the Bees, and if
made deeper or higher, becomes capable of
admitting mice and other vermin, to the
great prejudice (>f the Bees.

I 17. Beiidcs the bars to which the Bees
will fallicn their combs, a top or cover muft
be provided of the fame thicknefs as the box,
to extend about half an inch over the edges,
except in the front, where it mufl be exadlly
fluOi, becaufe the box mufl fland quite clofe
to the front of the houfe. The cover is to
be fcrewed down, not nailed -, it would be
very convenient, if the fcrews had a ring or
a head, projeding flat, that they might be
taken out by the finger and thumb ; but as
none fuch are kept in the fhops of a fize
fmall enough, and to be made on purpofe
may be thought too dear, therefore the com-
mon round-headed fcrews, beat as flat as you
can with a hammer, may be eafily taken out
or in by a pair of pliers or pincers. The
fcrews fliould always be greafed before they
are put in, or they v/ill rufl, and then cannot
be eafily withdrawn.

The holes to receive the fcrews had better
be made always in the fame places of every
box, four in each cover, two in the right
hand ed^re, and two in the left, and one inch

and

Form ^Bee-Boxes. $1

and a half from the front and back 3 by thefe
means, the fcrews of the boxes will indilcri-
minately fuit each other, without breaking
the edges of the boxes with frefli holes.

118. One cover ferves for each pair of
boxes, as does a moveable floor of the
fame dimenfions of the cover ; one edge of
which muft be planed true, that it may come
quite clofe to the Bee-houfe. If boards of
the above width cannot eafily be procured,
narrower may be rabbeted or tenanted toge-
ther, and flips of wood let in at the ends of
the floors, to prevent their cafling ; but the
covers may have flips nailed acrofs. Any
crevices or chafms left in the bottom, will
harbour earwigs and other vermin, and thus
occa/ion, not unfrequently, the defl:rud:ion ot
the Stock.

119. Another important nicety in
the formation of the box-hives is, that the
edges, both at top and bottom, be made fo
true, that any one box may be fct over or
under another, and no chafm left between, to
admit either an earwig or a moth, but fliand
firm and level ; for they will be wanted to
fland one upon another promifcuoufly.

120. It has been obferved before, that
fome perfons may prefer the collateral
arrangement. Boxes for this purpofe are
to be made of the fame dimenfions as
the foregoing : They are unlike only in
this, that infl:ead of the bars being on the
top of the box, thefe are to be on the fide,
viz. on the right hand fide of one box, and

E 2 en

^2 Form ^Bee-Hives.

on the left of the other j that when the
boxes are placed together, the barred fides
may tally and meet fo exadly, that no ver-
min may get betweeni as before obferved of
the ftory boxes. But as thefe boxes are but
nine inches high, the bars muft be made
conformable to that proportion, viz. two of
three inches and a quarter, and one at bottom
of one inch, leaving /Zrf^ openings of commu-
nication each half an inch wide.

121. The top board is to be nailed faft
down, and muft be the exa(ft fquare of the
box, for it muft have a groove on the fame
fide as the bars, and fimilar thereto, to re-
ceive the edge of the upper Aider. As thefe
bars are not to be taken out, they muft be
braded in iiiiy to ftrengthen the box. The
barred fide muft have a cover to fcrew on
when the boxes are feparated. But like the
ftory boxes, one cover will be fufticient for a
pair of boxes, as it will never be neceftary for
both to be covered at the fame time. Each
box muft have a moveable bottom, fomething
wider than the boxes, but the edges muft be
fqr.are and even, that they may form a
clofe joining, and alfo may fet quite clofe to
the front of the Bee-houfe.

122. As there are no openings in the tops
of thefe collateral boxes, which might ad-
mit glafles, when fuch are delired, circular
holes may be made of half an inch in diame-
ter, fby a centre or fpoon bit) in number
according to the magnitude and number of
the glaftes to be i^l on. Thefe holes may

be

'%

For77i ^Bee-Hives. J3

be covered, when not wanted, by buttons
properly adapted to them.

(123.) Many contrivances have been
formed to obviate the great inconvenience
and danger attending the leparation of boxes
in the ufual way. I Ihall jull: mention here
fome contrivances that may greatly facilitate
this operation. A more pepfe^ method will
be fhewn hereafter (605).

124. In order to prevent the Bees flying
out upon the Apiator when he takes off a
box, a frame (fig. 11.) may be made with
bars, grooves, &c. of the fame dimenfions,
and fimilar to the top of the box, (i 1 1, and
feq.). But it is neceffary to obfeFve, that all
the fides of the frame muft be of the fame
thicknefs as the edge of the box.

125. Ai>other method is, to have a groove
in each fide of the box, and as near the bot-
tom as conveniently can be made ; and in
the back a correfponding llit from fide to
fide, to admit a flicet or plate of double tin,
which is to be fhoved in when hives are to be
feparated.

126. Thirdly, If the boxes are made with
a three inch and a halt bar in the middle of
the bottoms, two faws, five or fix inches
broad, (hoved in judicioufiy at the fides of
the box, will fcparate them without receivini^
any confiderable annoyance from the Bees.
The front end of the bar mull: fpread out
above four inches, and be levelled down to a
feather edge at the -door way, to admit the
Bees.

E 3 127. Tlie

\

'54 Form of Bee-Hives.

127. The firft method may be objeded to
as being too expenfive. The fecond v/iil
damage the Bees; as the flider cannot pafs
clofe to the under hive, and mull cut through
all the combs, v/hich are generally extend-
ed and fixed to the under hive.

128. The third fcheme is the mod eli-
gible, as there are few perfons but what ei-
their have or may readily borrow faws fit for
the purpofe. And any refufe bits of wood,
of the proper dimenfions, may be tacked in
with little or no trouble or expence. I mean
of fuch of the common people as have any
ceconomy or ingenuity : as to the idle and
difTolute, it is a pity they ihould ever have
any Bees.

129. The improved method I am emu-
lous to introduce, is by the ufe of iliders
(fig. 10.) of a peculiar confi:rud:ion, on
which the whole fuccefs of the management
depends.

130. They are to be four in num-
ber, and formed of milled iron -, they
fliould be one-tweifth of an inch thick,
fourteen inches long, but not quite half an
inch wide (r,) except within an inch of the
end (/5,) Vv'hich mufl be five-eighths wide, and
terminating in a circular concave form (^,)
the concavity of which is to be no more
than one-eighth deep. The ends of the
openings in the wooden tops are to be in-
dented, conformable to that figure, to admit
the Aiders fo clofe at the ends that no Bee
can efcape.

The

Form o/^ B E E H i V E s. ^^

The ends of the fliders are thus con-
flru^lcd, that in enteiing the grooves, they
may cut and throw out tlie wix and propoHs,
with which the Bees generally dole up the
grooves (as they do all crevices in their hives)
as they arc thruft in, which otlierwife would
bind the fliders and prevent their introduc-
tion, at leafl: not without great difficulty.
Iklides, in order the better to facilitate their
palTage, only an inch at the ends is left wide
enough to extend into the grooves ; for was
the whole length of the Aider to run there-
in, the fridion would be very confiderably
increafed.

1 3 1 .The(e confiderations are of importance;
for by this contrivance we give the Bees
fo little difturbance in their introduction,
that a child may perform the operation v/ith-
out danger. Whereas, in the forcible me-
thod of prior contrivances, the Bees are great-
ly diftrelTed, as well as the Apiator ; nor can
?na7iy hives be managed in a day : the up-
roar becoming too great, alarming, and dan-
gerous.

132. It will be proper, and indeed necef-
fary, for fuch as have a great number of
Stocks, to have eight iron iliders ; as fuch a
number will, in many cafes, prove very con-
venient, and greatly expedite the operations.

133. Should the hives be (liewn to the
fmith, before he makes the fliders, it may
perhaps give him a better idea of what he
is to do, efpecially if he has any ingenuity ;
which indeed I have not alwavb found 10 be

E 4 the

56 For?n of Bee-Hives.

the cafe with thefe fwarthy gentlemen, any
more than with the carpenters.

134, If in any very fortunate fituation
my box hives (hould be found too fniall, they
may be enlarged an inch or more in height,
and an inch or more in length and width,
the bars being made wider and longer
in proportion. But it will not be advife-
able to increafe the number of bars : as four
openings will be fully fufficient, while a
greater number will unneceflarily augment
the trouble and expence.

135. The boxes with large panes of glafs
in the back and fides, are chiefly deligned to
be placed in chambers and parlours, in
order to be mere immediately and eonftantly
under the infpedtion of the proprietor; for
this purpofe, a flielf of the due proportion
is to be faftened in the window and a proper
opening cut in the td^gQ of the fa(h for the
paffage of the Bees to and fro. Great care
muft be taken that the door-way of the box
fits clofe to the fadi, or the Bees will get
into the room. If there be window (butters,,
correfponding openings mu(l be made in
them, as krvants v/ill often lie in bed longer
than the Bees. Thefe boxes iliould be co-
vered with a warm clolii in winter. They
may be made of maliogany where elegance
is required. If the windovvs be at times
opened, the Bees will come in and be very
troublefome, which renders the introduce
tion of boxes, rather inconvenient in fuch
places; fome out-buildings will therefore be
more eh'gible. C H A P-»

[ SI ]

CHAPTER VII.
Of Straw Hives.

136./^^ F all fuch hives as are to Jftand
V^_^ un(heltered by a houfe thofe
made of flraw are much to be preferred ;
as beft defending the Bees both from ex-
ceflive heat, and exceffive cold.

I X7' Where ftraw hives are not to be pro-
cured ealily, ru(hes feem to be the beft fub-
ftitute, but they muft be gathered when ma-
ture, and be well dried. In fome countries
wicker, or baiket hives, plaidered over with
clay, cow dung, or the like are ufed. But
thefe are neither fo cleanly, fo comfortable,
nor fo eafily managed as the ftraw hives.

138. Trunks of hollow trees, cut into the
proper dimenfions, made fmooth and clean
within fide, furnilhed with bottoms and tops
properly adapted to them, and painted on the
outfide, will make good and very durable
hives, and are much preferable to thofe of
wicker or baJlcet.

139. However, as ftraw hives are the befl,
and in general very eafily procurable, we will
confine ourfelves to them. Thefe are to be
made of unthreflied rye ftraw, if it can be
procured fo, for threlhed ftrav/ being very
much broken and ftiivercd, occafions the hives

to

58 Of Straw Hives.

to be very rough and troublefome to the Bocs
at their firft eiurance. Therefore the num-
ber of hives wanted fliould be bcfpoke before
harveft, that the maker may have an op-
portunity of procuring pioper ftravv for
the purpofc. Twice the number of hives
to that of Stocks (hould be in readinef^, or
there V\'ill not be a fufficiency for Svv-arms,
and for additional hives to your old Stocks.

140. The fizes of hives vary \x\ different
counties, containing from half a builiel, or
or lefs, to a budiel. The mod: convenient
iize, as I have found upon many repeated
trials, is that of half a buJJjel. Perhaps this
will fuit all (ituAtions, except the heath
countries ; in thole, indeed, when only one
hive is intended for a. Stock, a bufhel will not
be too big.

J 41.. It is probable, that fhould i'vio, di-
menfions I recommend be generally adopted,
the hive makers would find it their interefl
to conform to that ftandard ; and confe-
quently there would be no difhculty of pro-
curing proper hives throughout the kingdom,

"142. Tlie draw hives (fig. 8, a) accord-
ing to my propofed dimenlions, are to be
clear nine inches high, and twelve inches
wide on the infiJe, exclufive of the ftraw.
They are to be made without tops, and quite
upright, fo as to refemble a broad hoop.

143. The greatefl: exertion of the makers
fkill will confifL in their being made ex-
a£t to the above dimenfions, and all fo very
exadly and equ^dly alike, that every diifer-

ent

Of Straw Hives. 59

ent hive, may be put over or under any
other, and let dole and level ^ for which
reafon all the edges both under and upper,
fhould be made as true as poHible, rather
broader than any other part, and as fiat as
can be. But in one of the edges the bryer
binding fliould be left diftant three or four
inches in length, in order for the llraw to
be cut away to form a proper door- way.

144. They are to have covers of flraw
bound to^^cther in the fame manner as the

o

hives ; thefe are to he quite fiat, and broad
enouiih to extend half an inch beyond the
^d,g^ of the hive on which they are to
let ciofe and even. They are to be made:
feparate from the hive, being intended to
be put on and taken off at pleafure ; one cover
only is requifite to every pair of hives, viz. to
twelve hives fix covers.

145. If the hive-maker lliould procure
a hoop bent to the exaft dimenfions, or
widtii, it might prove a ftandard to work the
whole by, to the greateil exadlnefs. Should
he alfo, as foon as a hive is made, place a
fmooth board over it, and jump thereon him-
felf, efpecially if he be a fat jolly fellow,
or put a grtat weight thereon, it would
greatly contribute to make the hive clofe,
and the edges level.

146. Thefe fl:raw hives, befides the draw
covers, are to have wooden tops, which are
to be formed upon the fame idea as thofe
for the box hives, viz. they are to have four

openings,

6b 0/ Straw Hives.

openings, fo as to admit four of the fame
conftrudted Aiders, as thofe ufed for the
boxes.

Thefe tops (fig. 6.) are to be round, four-
teen inches in diameter, and five-eighths of
an inch in thicknefs, when planed. In each
there are to be four openings, a. a. a. a,
the two innermofl are to be eleven inches
long each, and the two outermofl fix inches
long each, and all the openings exadly half
an inch wide. It is to be compofed of three
pieces of wood each three inches wide, and
which we fhall call bars, c. c. c. and of pro-
per length to form the circle as above dc-
fcribed, together with two fmaller circular
pieces, e. e, to fill up the whole. Thefe bars \
- arc to be joined together ami the ends, (m^

(f'f'f'f'f'f-f'f-) ^y ii^termediate pieces of
the fame thicknefs as the bars, and wide
enou2:h to be rabbetted about a quarter of
an inch into each bar, fo that when glued
in, the openings may be left precifely half
an inch wide, and of the lengths as above
fpecified. If the joining pieces are not rab-
betted, as foon as the bars, by the heat of
the fun andof the Bees, becomeperf>idly dry,
they will feparate, and the whole frame be-
come loofe and unconnecfled. The whole
being glued together, nail a piece of board
acrofs, to prevent any difunion. But, pre-
inous to the joinhig^ there is^ a very efiential
operation to be performed to the greated
nicety, viz. groo'^ccs which are to be made

M I'^r^^

{

(y St R AW Hi VES. 6i

in the eJges of every bar one-fixteenth of an
inch deep, and one-twelfth of an inch wide,
capable of receiving with eafe the iron Aiders
before defcribcd ( 1 30) -, therefore, if the
grooves are not made very accurate, the
whole will be rendered ufelels.

147. As foon as the glue of the work is
thoroughly hardened, two flips of milled
iron, (fig. 6.) fomething thicker than dou-
ble tin, and as wide as the bars are thick,
are to be drawn nearly round the whole edge,
as far as is dotted, and nailed firmly on.

148. This will bind the whole more firmly
together than if hooped all round; but flits
muft be cut out oppofite four of the open-
ings, at one end, of a length, (fig. 6, e. e, e. e.J
juft fufficient to admit the fliders, and no
wider than necefiary ; for if too wide, the
Bees will have a pafTage out to annoy the
Operator. By painting the edges oi thefe
wooden tops, they may be preferved for
ages, efpeci^Uy if carefully kept in a dry
place when not in ufc. It is not every com-
mon carpenter, however, that has either in-
genuity or tools to make them with fuiiicient
nicety, but they may be very exacftly and
eci/j/y made by one that is mafter of his
protefHon.

149. It mufl be carefully noted, that when
any of thcfe tops are fixed on, that part
which has the flits in the edge for the Ihders
to enter, muft be always fixed at the l^ack
part of tlie hive,

150. But

62 0/ StR AW HiVFS.

150. But a cheaper method of making
them, is to nail the bars together with two
fmall fide pieces, properly grooved in a hoop,
made of the fame depth as the bars, and flits
afterwards fawed out, for the entrance of the
Aiders. The ends, however, of the open-
ings in the front muft be contracted about an
inch by pieces of wood glued in, the inward
parts being made rounding, the better to re-
ceive the ends of the fuders, fo as to come
clole^_Bu_t the ends where the Aiders enter,

only to be^opped.up, leaving Jliegr(3r>ves
otherwise the Aiders caniiot enter at
all. If the ends are not thus managed, the
Bees will efcape underneath, and the cold
and the vermin will have too free an admif-
fion ; pieces of cork glued in will anfwer the
purpofe.

151. Thefe tops as well as the preceding,
when placed upon the hives, mull: have long
brads, cr wooden pegs, palfed through each
end of the middle bar, fo as to penetrate
about an inch into the edge of the llraw, in
order to keep the top fteady from Aipping
either one way or the other.

152. Thofe who do not choofe to have any
box hives, may have a pane of glafs fixed in
the back of a ftraw hive^ this is to be done
by cutting four or five rounds of fcraw in
depth, and about four or five inches in length,
fixing the glafs in at the ends of the ftraw,
and flopping the joinings with putty. A
cover of wood mull: be placed before it.

153. Thofe

Of Straw Hives. 6^

153. Thofe alfo who cannot well airord
thefe kind of tops, need not be difcou raged.
The meaneH: cottager may eahly make tops
himfclf, unlefs he had rather idly lleep
away that time in the chimney corner, dur-
ing the long winter evenings, which he
might employ in fo pleaiing and bene-
ficial a purpofe. For a trijk he may procure
refufe pieces of wood of three inches breadth,
and fifteen in length ; or he might with only
a knife furnilli himfelf with fuch from the
branchesof atree J and with the fame knife, re-
duce them to thic requifite flatnefs and fmooth-
nefs, though liis genius be but of the moderate
degree. The ends of thefe flicks or bars muft
extend fufiiciently over the edges of the hive,
fo as with nails or pegs, to fallen acrofs thtm
bits of wood to hold the bar at half an inch
diflance, and two fmall pieces at the fides,
pegged down into the edges of the ftrawj the
ends of the openings to be filled up with
wood or cork, clay, or cow dung, even with '
the infide of the hive.

154. This top will make a very good
fhift without grooves ; and he will find in
the fequel ieveral methods, by which he
may eafily manage with it without Aiders,
(559,600,605.)

155. For want of a flraw covering, lay
upon an even piece of ground or door fmall
tv/igs (long enough to cover your hive) of
oziers, wiUov/s, rudies, or the like; on
thefe plafter clay, cow dung, or lime and
fand i then put on another layer of twigs,

and

64 Of Straw Hives.

and another of clay, bic, when this is dry It
will form a tolerable covering, and if made
(helving from the middle to the edges, will
throw the water off, and keep the Bees dry.

156. For thofe who can afford it, large
earthen milk or pudding pans laid over their
ftraw hives is the heft covering that I know of.
Thelargeft fort will extend fufficiently to clear
the hive-floors of the water that drops from
them. Cracked ones may do if the cracks
be well flopped with putty, clay, &c.
thefe may be had very cheap. The ufuai
coverings among the country people are
hackels made of llraw, gathered to a point
at the top, and fpreadlng down all round
the hive; thefe form a tolerable coveiing ;
but unlefs well attended to, are apt, after a
while, to admit the rain, and harbour
mice (651.)'
/\ — *-S^ Pans are not liable to thefe inconve-
wy niences, and are more eafily removed. Be-
/ fide which, as our hive floors are not fixed,
the pans being heavy, keep the hives io
fteady, that no common winds will difplace
them.

CHAP.

( 65 )

CHAPTER Vlir.

Strictures on Mr, Wildman's and
other prior conjlriidied Hives and Boxes ;
jloewing their Defe6ls and Inconveniences
with a Comparifon betzueen them and thofe of
my Plan.

158. T T is now much more than a cen-
JL tury fince the firft attempt was made
by the means of box hives, to manage Bees
without deftroying them. Several ingenious
gentlemen^ in fucceffion, have very laudably
endeavoured to improve upon each other. V^
Among thefe were, MelTrs. Mew, -Goddy. );^ '*^>^
Wolridge, Rufden, Warder, Thorley, White,
and laft of all, Mr. Thomas Wildman.

159. However praife- worthy their defign
the public at large has been but little bene-
fited. The expence of box hives and houfes
has hitherto, and is always likely, to confine
this improvement to the wealthy, as they are
by no means adapted to common ufe. War-
der, indeed, foretold this when he wrote,
and fafts have verified it to this day 3 unlefs
therefore we can introduce a fcheme which
may come within the compafs of the farmer's
and cottager's abilities and attention, we la-.
hour in vain.

F 160. The

66 StrlBures on Mr. Wihhnan s and

1 60. Tiie perfedlon of this art does not
confifl: merely in taking the honey and wax,
without deftroying thofe that procured them ;
it extends alfo to the doing it with the
Icaft poiiible difturbance and damage to the
Bees, with the greateft eafe and Safety to the
Operator, and with the iimplell and cheap-
eft apparatus.

i6\. It will be proper to make a ^z\v re-
marks upon the mod noted of thofe appara-
tus' which have already been introduced
to the public.

■ V/e will begin wiih ©(flagon box hives.
Warder and fome others have recommended
thefe in preference to every other kind, on a
fnppofition that as they will be warmer, lo
the Bees in the winter, and the brood in the
Ipring, would thereby receive the greater be-
nefit. But if we turn fiora theory to pradice,
it will be found (at leaft with me it has) that
the Bees and brood thrive as well in fquare
boxes as in round ftraw-hives, which are
much warmer than any box hives whatever.

162. Th^fize of a hive indeed is of con-
fequence, but not fo the fhape. Large hives
are very troublefome to handle. In winter,
alfo there will be too much vacant fpace in
them, whereby the Bees will be too much
chilled. In fummer, the Swarms will be too
late j nor will they be able to fill two fuch
hives in a feafon, except both that and the
fituationbe uncommonly advantageous.

163. On the contrary, fmall hives not
having fufficient room for a great number,

the

• other prior conjlru&ed Hives t &c. 67

the Bees are obliged to fwarm too foon and
in too fmall a quantity, room being wanted
for the continual encreafe of the young. Nor
are they capacious enough to hold a Stock
of Bees fufficiently large to perform the va-
rious operations requilite in the fpring, nor
will they be fo well preferved from the
winter's cold. For the greater the number
the greater the warmth ivill be, provided the
hives be well filled -, for on this alone the
great benefit depends, and not on i\\t Jhape
of the box. Much lefs does it depend up-
on the nature of the wood of which the box
is made; for it is of no real confequence
Vv'hether it be of deal, mahogany, or cedar.
The Bees are not fanciful enough to ftand
upon fuch niceties. Let any gentleman
keep two good Stocks of Bees, one in a deal
box, and the other in a hive made of any
other mateiials, and he will be convinced that
this theory is without any Ibundation.

164. Prior to Mr. T. Wildman there has
been no confiderable variation in the con-
ilruction of boxes, except in Mr. White's;
for Rulden, Warder, Thorley, and fome
others, are of the fame fentiment refpeding
the openings of communication ; viz. to
have thefe in the middle of the tops of the
liives, about fix inches, long and four inches
broad.

165. This confl:ru(5lion has appeared to m.e
very mjudicious ; nor has Mr. T. Wildman's

F 2 narrow

68 Stri5liires on Mr. IVildmans ani

narrow bars * appeared lefs fo; as it
claflies with the generally received dodrine,
that the ^ueen Bee chiefly rejides in the center
of the hive : There JJje fixes her palace and
throne i ds being mojifecurey mofl warm, and
moft lecret, and which fhe leldom quits
but to depofite her eggs, returning again im-
mediately afterwards to her wonted privacy.
If fo her hfe mufl: be in imminent danger at
the time of driving the wooden flider in ;
for upon any difturbance flie generally af^
cends towards the top, and therefore may be
cruflied by the flider, which cannot be intro-
duced gently y becaufe it will be obfl:ru6led by
the extenfion of the combs thro' the openings
from the upper to the under part. Kay, even
the feparation made by a tin flider, will not
prevent the honey from running down among
the Bees, in the very center of the box ; this
■will likev/ife befmear the openings, and de-
ilroy many of the Bees, nay, not unfre-
quently, the Queen herfelf ; and thus occa-
fion the ruin of the Stock.

166. Thefe dangers, I have the vanity
to think, are obviated by the nature and
difpofition of my Aiders and tops : For
the middle bar is three inches and a half
wide ; to this two combs will be always
made, and a fpaceleft between for theQueen's
refidence, over which there being no open-
ing fhe will be in perfedl fecurity from
the Aiders, which are to run on the fides

of

* Management of Bees, 1770,

other prior conjlrudled Hives y &c. 69

of the combs. To, which may be added,
that thefe Aiders can alwaj^s be introduced by
the ba?2d y whereas the wooden ones mufl
generally be forced in by a hammer or
mallet, greatly difturbing and hurting both
the combb and the Bees -, nor is it likely
that the Apiator hTniblf will efcape quite
free.

i6y. Another great inconvenience attend-
ing thele miadle openings is, the giving the
Bees much unnecefTary labour, by making
them crawl up the lides, &c. before they can
get to them, and many of them are a long
while before they can find them out. In Mr.
Paniel Wildman's, (nephew to Mr. Thomas
Wildman) box hives the communications
are near the back. The Queen indeed by this
alteration is not in quite fo much peril, but
it increafes the tafk of the Bees. For thefe
infetfts ufually and through choice afcend by
the front of a hive, and the neareft combs;
confequently the way is confiderably length-
ened by their being obliged to go to the
back before they can afcend. Thefe are per-
haps the principal reafons why Bees in
thefe boxes fhew fo great a reludance to
begin to work in an upper hive

168. Let it alfo be confidercd, that when
an empty hive is fet under another, the Bees,
heavily laden, muft firft crawl up its fides to
the top, and when there, mufi: fearch about
fome time before they can find the opening,
and when found, it leads not to the diftant
combs, where their fervice is now mo(t
F 3 wanted i

^o BtriSiures on Mr. WiUmans and

wanted, but to the place already filled and
thronged with the Queen ano her numerous
retinue. And not only ioy but this dif-
agreeable talk muft, perhaps be continued
fome weeks, before they will be ready to
work in a lower hive, or have made combs
in its center to afcend by. So that here
is a great wafte, both of toil and time.

169. A(5tuated by the defire of difcovering
a method to remedy thefe great inconve-
niences, and to preferve with more eafe and
certainty the young brood, the Rev. Mr,
White paid great attention to this fubje(S.
The reliilt of his care and trouble was the
ingenious and fimple invention of collateral
boxes.

Madam Vicat, a no lefs ingenious lady, of
Switzerland, has endeavoured to improve
upon* him. And a gentleman under the fig-
nature of A Lover of Bees, in the appendix
to Mr. T. Wildman's treatife, has propofed
an improvement upon both.

170. Undoubtedly, by having the commu-
nications in the fides, the Queen can be in
no danger, and was there no other method
of obtaining this advantage but the collateral,
we fhould not hefitate to give it the pre-
ference.

But by keeping Bees both in flory f.nd
collateral boxes at the fame time, 1 have
conftantly found that they will not fo rea-
dily extend their works lengthways as per-
pendicularly. Beiidcs, in Mr. White's boxes
the openings are not fufiiciently numerous

to

other prior conJiruBcd Hives y &c. 7>i

to tempt the Bees- that way. And, not only
ioy his method of Aiding a flieet of tin, to
feparate the boxes, irritates the Bees more,
and the Apiator is in greater danger than
it he had precipitately forced the boxes afun-
der without it^ as any one upon trial may
be fesjli:igly convinced of. Upon the whole,
the operation is much more awkward and
inconvenient to be performed this way than
iroFy method.

171. But the grand point, which thefe
feveral improvements feem to have more im-
mediately in view, is the better nurture qf
the brood, which they fuppofe, with fome
other authors, are placed in the middle of
the hive, and unlefs fo placed will not ar-
rive at maturity.

172. This perhaps is carrying our refine-
ments too far. That the Queen, in general,
lays moft of her eggs, efpecially the Drone
^%g^y in the center of the combs, is true.
But if room be wanted, fl:ie will lav them
in any other parts, even clofe to the wiri-
dows, not excepting the royal cells 5 nor has
it been obferved that any failed the more on
that account. Of the truth of this I have
had yearly demonftrations ever iince I have
kept Bees. Nay, the contrivance itfelf de-
feats its principal defign, viz. the procuring
a greater degree of warm.th for the brood.
For by adding thefe fide boxes, the Qiieen
*is induced to lay her eggs nearefl the en-
trance, confequentiy the brood muft be
much more fubjedl to the influence cf the

F 4 air

nz Strictures on Mr, Wildmans and

air than if the brood were in a box
behind, or in an upper one. The truth isj^
we much oftener want ei^rly honey than
early broods -, and frequently both the old
and young perifh in the fpring for want
of food, and not for want of a warm fitu-
ation.

173. The Lover of Bees propofes that
a fuit of three boxes be placed before each
other, inflead of fide by fide. This does
not feem to me to promife more fuccefs
than the others. For, in the firfl place, we
cannot fo conveniently fee how they thrive ir
the middle box. Secondly, when an empty
box is placed before another, the Bees muft
pafs with their loads through it, fome weeks
perhaps before they will have occafion to
build therein, or otherwife frequent infpec-
tion is required, to fee when they want an
additional box, or they may want room be-
fore it be known that they have need of it;
whereas in the collateral and ftory plan,
they may have admittance to either with-
out that inconvenience. Sliders are alfo to
be ufed in the feparation j but as we have
neither been favoured with the particulars
of this arrangement, nor with any account
of his fuccefs, we can fay nothing very de-
ciiive concerning it. This we lament, as
the writer feems to be a judicious obferver of
Bees, and has made fome very pertinent re-
3narks upon Wildman.

174. But I hnd that all thefe, and feveral
other methods, have been tried by a very

ingeniouc

other prior conjlriidled Hives, Sec. ^3

ingenious gcntleirirvn, who publiOied in 1675,
under the iignature of J. W. Gent. *, and
had been then found as inadmilhble for ge-
neral practice as they have fmce.

To remedy the inconveniences of thefe
methods I contrived mine, which is much
lefs compUcated, and much iefs expenfive ;
requir'js but little attention and trouble in the
management : far lefs indeed than Madam
Vicpt's, whofe Boxes cannot be fepurated
wirh'out the introduction of fmoke^ (not
to fay any thing of the expence) which ren-
iers the operation ftill more troublefome and
oiFenfive to the Apiator and Bees than any
of the other modes before-mentioned.

175. Mr. Thomas Wildman's boxes -^
are the next that merit our attention. And
although he has diflinguilhed himfelf very
eminently in the Bee-walky and enlighten-
ed us in fome things, yet we mufl not de-
pend upon him as infallible.

176. Ilis plan confifts of a double fquare
box, the lower one to have fix bars acrofs,
for the Bees to fix their combs on ; the up-
per box inftead of bars is to have two frames,
and each frame to have four upright Aiders.
There is a wooden Aider to be put in between
the upper and lower box, and a fimilar
ilider at bottom. There are three windows
VV'ith (butters to each box,

177. A

^' Which I fuppofe to be Worlidge.

I See his Treatifc on the Management of Cces, p. ii2'

74- ^trldliires on Mr. Wildman s and

177. A drawing is g'veii of thefe boxes
and frames, but it is too inaccurate, and his
deicription too defective, <:o be underwood
'h^j common underftandings.'"- At leaft, nei-
ther myfelf, nor feveral of fc " friends, to
whom I have (hewn it, were'^v^ole to com-
prehend it. However, the purport feems
to be, that each of thefc fiames ale intend-
ed to hold three combs, and when filled are
to be drawn up at the top.

178. Something analogous to thefc are
thofe of his nephew Mr. Daniel Wildmart. *•
But thefe have three frames in a box, and
are to be drawn out at the back. Others I
have feen formed with three drawers, to be
pulled out like thofe of a cheft.

179. All thefe are very pretty contrivances
in fpcculation. But let me here obferve, that
when any of the frames, or divifions, are

■ drawn out f a whole regiment of Bees will
draw upon the innovator in defence of their
property (48.). The diflurbance is great,
and their fury flill greater. Bat fup-
pofe the Bees can be confined in the frame
until that is taken out, the expence of fo
many frames is needlefs, becaufe the box
itfelf maybe feparated, and any combs taken
that are proper to be fo, and the box after-
wards returned.

Befides, the Bees will extend their combs
over the joinings of the frames, and if they

do

* Complete Guide, 6:c.

and other prior conJlruBed Htvesy ^c. 75

do not fit very clofe will cement them fo
firmly with propolis as to render it im-
pradicable to draw them out at all.

180. Neither can I agree with Mr. T.
Wildman, *' .t repeated tappings upon the
glais will auTe the Bees to quit a box; fo
far from 't, they will flock to that place
in greater numbers. But fuppofe the greater
part do afcend into the upper box, fome
will remain, and confequently when the
panj of glafs is taken out, (as he directs) in
order to come at the combs in the lower box,
me remaining Bees will certainly revenge
the theft : for no tappings upon glafs can
be ilrong enough to intimidate the Bees like
driving. Then to take the pane of glafs
out firil, and afterwards the combs at the
back, muO: be a very awkward, inconve-
nient, and alfo a flovenly method, for
much of the honey will be fmeared about
the box.

181. The fame objed:ion that has hecn
made againfl the frames, holds equally good
againfi: the Aiders in the middle and bottom
of the boxes. For being of wood, and the
whole breadth of the box, they will be far
more difiicult to introduce than any we have
yet mentioned.

182. Mr. T. Wildm.an ailerts, (page 156.)
** that as there are but three combs in each
feparate frame, the Queen at any time may
be difcovered." It does not appear fo to me;
and m.oft connoifi'eurs in Bees know, that ex-
cept at the moment of depofiting her eggs,

if

yS SiriBures on Mr. Wildmans and

if there be but two combs, the Queen will
be in the middle, and fo furrovmded by her
attendant Bees as not to be (^tny unlefs
through mere chance, by the beft pair of
philolophic eyes in the kingdom. If a hive
conftrucfted entirely of glafs (as a globe) will
not prefent us with an opportunny of be-
holding her Majef};y, much lefs cai'> we ex-
pert it from fo partial an opening as that of
a fide or back window.

183. But the grand cbje6t principally in-.
tended by his plan, and that o\ ftrveral others,.
is the taking the honey frequently ; as be-:
ing then, fay they, much fuperior in good-,
jiefs than it would bt if left 'till the end of the
feafon. Conformable to tliis defign is the
conftrudion of Mr. T. Wildman's ftraw
hives as well as of his boxes, confequently
the fame flri^lures will fo far apply to both.

184. That honey taken in the fammer
is better than what is taken in autumn is
by no means fo clear a point, Becaufe, as
foon as cells are filled with honey, they
are fealed up with wax ; which is full as
efFe(5tual to preferve the fpirit and fragrance
of the honey, as the beft glafs phials, even
though they have ground glafs ftoppers. If
honey be depofited in virgin cells it will
fufFer no diminution of its guodneis, nor
alteration in its colour, however long it may
be kept there; but if laid up in old cells,
it will in a very few days become darker co-
loured.

i8j. I

oiher prior conJlniBed Hives, &c. 77

185. I acknowledge, that honey taken
at the time when the mofl aromatic flowers
are in bloom, is preferable to any other ;
but then this may be done, and beft done
too, by glaiTes, or other fmall veffels placed
upon the tops of the boxes or hives (431,
452, 462.) without any additional expence,
and with very little trouble. In other ref-
peds, one of my hives or boxes, taken when
full, will have honey and wax equal in
quality to any from his fliallow hives.

186. Befides, there will often be brood
in the fhallow hives when taken off, nor
will they yield lb much virgin honey as
might be fuppofed I tried Mr. T. Wild-
man's fhallow hives three fucceffive years,
but they afforded me not near the profit I
gained from thofe Stocks of the fame years
which were managed in my own way.

187. Mr. T. Wildman has introduced
into his practice tops for his ftraw hives
with circular holes ^ thefc I am apt to think
are rather difagreeable to the Bees, as they
oblige them to build their combs out of the
ufual ftile of parallel lines, and to vary them,
in many curved directions, according as the
holes interfere. If holes are thought moft
proper, they fhould be made in double
rows as near as poflible to each other, and
in ilraight lines, leaving proper vacancies
between every double row, for the combs
to be fixed to.

188. It will not, I hope, be thought im-
pertinent if I here make a flight digreflion,

for

78 StriSlures on Mr. Wildmans and

for the fake of obferving, that when fuch
Swarms as came from the Stocks of thefe
hives that had tops with holes in them,
were put into hives with bars, they never-
thelefs made their combs fome curved and
fome obhque, and this for two years in
fuccefiion ; which evidently proves, that the
old Bees go out with the Sw..rms, and that
thofe young Bees of the fecond year, which
faw the manner of building m the hive they
left, purfued the fame plan when they formed a
part of the next fpring Swarm *. It alfo
proves, that the elder Bees are the principal
architects.

188. Perhaps it may not be Improper to
make feme further brief remarks upon Mr. T.
Wildman's ll:raw hives, and by comparing
them with thofe 1 propofe, fome judgment
may be formed which is the fimpleft, eafieft,
and moll beneficial ; and from thence infer-
ences may be readily and j'aftly drawn re-
fpecling all other kinds of hives and boxes.

189. His ftraw hives are feven inches
high and ten wide ; in the upper row of
flraw a hoop is faflened, and to this are
nailed five bars, each one inch and a quarter
wide. In one of thefe hives a Swarm is fird
to be put, and another placed under it the

next

* From this circumftance a queftion may arife re-
lating to Inftintft, which is fuppofed to acfl invariably.
For how is it poflible that faculty could impel thefe
infects to deviate from a flraight line, and to carry on
their work in directions fuited to their new habitation?
Was there no ratiocination employed ?

other prior conjlriiSted Hives, Sec. 79

next morning. This next morning's work
iny hives do not require. But why the
?norninzy v\hen in the next evening it inay be
done with more tale and fafety ? Scon after
a third hive is to be placed under the two
former J hut whether at night or in tlie
morn ng v/e are Itft in the dark. At the
end of about three v/eeks, the top hive is to be
taken off, at the noon of a fair day (611),
?ind 7i fourth hive is then to be placed under
thofe that are left. After a while another
hive is to be taken off and a fifth added,
cbferving that the firit hive taken oiF, is to
be refcrved, lefb it be wanted to be replaced
again m the winter.

196. I'o pcrfons who have nothing elfe
to do but tend Bees, like Mr. Wildman,
thefe repetitions of taking off and putting
oUy may be a very pretty amufement. Pj'o-
videdy however, that the Bees be like
the common files, that is, without ilings.
For moil afiiiredly, the combs of thefe
fliallow hives will be fo extended and
fixed down to the bars of thofe underneath,
that in taking one off (the manner of doing
which however we are not made acquaint-
ed with) force mud neceffarily be ufcd to dif-
engage the combs, part of which breaking,
clumps of them will be left upon the bars
of the under one, and prevent a cover being
placed on, until they be removed; during
which time, the Bees of the hive taken,
and of thofe left, having free -egi^ts a-n<i r-e-
grefs, will foon make the Apiator heartily

' fick

8b SriSiures on Mr* Wlldtnans aha

fick of his operation, and Mr. Wildaian's in-
vention.

191. But ferioufly, can it be thought,
that farmers and cottagers will or can fpare
the time and attention that this method re-
quires, or indeed that the profit, efpecially
in counties confiderably diftant from the
metropolis, will anfwer the expence and
trouble. Moreover, the difturbirtg the Bees
fo much, together with the (baking of the
combs, and perhaps caufing fome to fall out
(being done in the heat of fummer) fo in-
timidates and diflieartens the Bees, that they
feldom work with their wonted vigour and
alacrity the whole feafon after.

192. My propofal is to have only two hives
to a Stock. Fewercanby no means be difpenfed
with upon any plan to perferve the Bees.
Thefe require but one removal. By means
of the Aiders, the Bees of the hive left are
always confined during the operation ; and
where an additional frame is ufed, thofe of
that taken oft will be kept in alfo. But if
this bethought too expenfive ; feveral me-
thods are pointed out in the following fedions
(592, 599, 600, 602, 605.) of doing it
v^^ith fecurity, and with little or no apparatus;
And the time of adding or taking a hive
will require no other infpection than the
cafual one of the Apiator, or fervants of the
family as they pafs the Apiary *.

193. Mr.

* I would juft oblerve here, that the combs of that
hive v/hich. Mr. Wiklman diieds to be taken off \\\

Older

other prior conjiru^ed Hive:, Sec. 8 1

193. Mr. Wildman further obfervcs, " tha^
'"' the Queen will lay fome eggs in the up-
** per hive, but fo foon as the lower hive is
** filled with combs, fhe will lay moft of
** them in it. In little more than three
** weeks, all the eggs laid in the upper hive
** will be turned into Bees." Very often it
will be fo, but as often the Ccntrary. I
have taken not only his {hallow hives, but
alfo common round top hives, that had been
raifed three months, and yet when taken
were as full of brood as though no under
hives had btfen placed (106, 193^ 472).
Which proves this theory fallacious. There
is no certainty in any of thefe methods of
not having brood in additional hives, placed
either by the fide or underneath. The only
fure way may be feen (473).

194. The inconveniences of narrow bars
I have already taken notice of (190) as be-
ing much worfe than where the openings
are only in the middle. Straw hives have
been formed upon that principle both here
and in France, and fmoke ufed to caufe
the Bees to afcend into an upper hive. But
as we can perform it with more facility and
and lefs offence, (592, 605) it will be unne-

' ceffary

order to be replaced in winter or fpring, left tl-ie Stock
ihould have ihort commons, will be liable (however
well fecured) to become mouldy, and the honey can-
died j or the inoth mav get in and dcftroy the whole,

G

82 Strioiures on Mr. Wildman s and

ceil'ary here to enlarge further upon the im-
propriety of it.

195. My hives have four openings, in
the whole of thirty four inches, which
though not equal to Mr. Wildman's barred
hives, are yet fully fufficient for the Bees
paflage, as every comb will have a free paf-
fage of communication from it, either up-
wards or downwards. The communications
of my boxes are alfo forty-four inches in
length 3 whereas thofe boxes that have no
bars, feldom have more than eighteen
inches. So that they have here a fuperiority
of twenty-fix inches. But what is flill of
more advantage, the Bees can crawl up and
down the fides and ends of my hives and
boxes, without obftrudion. And when the
combs are built, can defcend hy them in di-
re<ft lines to an under hive, as though it
were but one hive, and adapted to their own
peculiar mode of architecture. Nor is this
chimerical : the Bees have often furniflied
me with demonftrative proofs of the truth
of it, either working upwards or down-
wards as I chofe to have them. (473, 492.)

196. My Aiders have alfo the advantage,
for, being four in number, and furnifhed
with (harp edges, they are introduced, not
like the large wooden Aiders, all at once,
and with great violence, but gradually and
alternately Aiding in eafily, and with little
or no difturbance ; efpecially in boxes fet
in a houfe. The Bees will neither know

the

ether prior conJiruBed Hives, &c. 83

the caul'e nor the invader. This operation
therefore does not require even fo much as
a pair of gloves to perform it in. Neither
ought w^e to forget the advantages arifing
from the fccurity of the Queen ; of which
we before obferved (i65> 166,) the very
great importance*

197. By means of thefe Aiders, glaffes
may be fet equally as well on the ftraw hives
as on the boxes (452) without any fort of
danger or difficulty. My ftraw hive tops
have alfo a great fuperiority over all others,
of allowing an infpedllon into the ftate of
the Bees works at the top; for by putting
the Aiders in at any time, than taking off
the cover, and, after placinc; a flip of glafs
over either of the communications, with-
drawing the Aider, not a Bee can come out,
and curiofity may be fatisfied without any
danger; which will not only be entertaining
but, on many occafions, ufeful.

198. The lafi: point of comparifon we pro-
pofe to examine, is the expence or differ-
ence of value of Mr. Wildman's ftraw hives.
Five are required to one Stock ; and each hive
will cufl one fhilling, which is five {hillings
the fct. Of mine two only are ncceffary fof
one Stock; the expence of v/hich is two (hil-
lings. His hives have draw tops; fo have
mine. But each of his hives has a hoop
faflened in it with itv^n bars, which I will
eftimate {0 low as only fixpence each :
this is two fliillings and fixpence more,

G 2 Each

84 Strictures on Mr, iVildmans and

Each grooved top of mine will coft two fhiL
lings J which with the hives amount to fix
{hillings for my fet ; while his fet comes to
feven (liillings and fixpence.

199. But there is ftill a greater difference
in this refpedt. For his hoop and bars, being
fixed, are not appheable to other hives 3 and
as flraw hives in two or three years are not
fit for fervice, the whole mud be new. JVIy
tops, on the contrary, being moveable at
pleafure, and fuitihg each hive indifcrinii-
nately, will with care be durable, perhaps
for centuries, and therefore ought not to be
eftimated with the prime coft of the hives j
the fame may be faid of my fliders. The
extraordinary expence for each Stuck, the
firft year, will be four fliillings for tops, and
two {hillings and fixpence for flidei's.

200. But for every fucceeding year, the
expence will be but two fhitlings at moft,
reckoning a hive for a Swarm, and another to
raife the Stock with ; and this will frequently
be unnecefiary, becaufe an additional hive
will not often be above three or four months
in ufe before it be taken away, and therefore
will be hardly the worfe for ufc -, fo that
upon the whole, it is but a trifling advance
more in keeping Bees this way than in the
old one olfinglc hives. Nay, the expence
may be ftill very confiderably leflened to per-
fons that make their own bars without
grooves, as dired:ed, (ijj)*

201. Bat

other prior confiruBed Hives., Sec, 8^

20 1. But let us now fuppofe that only
twenty pounds extraordinary of honey and
wax be obtained the firft year from fix Stocks ;
will it not be a fufficient compenfation for
the extra expence ? Moft certainly it will ;
and therefore the whole apparatus may, the
next year, be fairly confidered as cofijiig no-
thing. Nor is this all, for the pleafure of
managing the Bees more profitably and with
greater eafe, may furely be added. All thefe
confiderations ought, 1 think, to have fome
weight with every prudent and fenfible per-
fon.

202. As to the price of Mr. Thomas
Wildman's boxes, I am not acquainted with
it. But as they are more complicated than
mine, it is reafonable to fuppofe, that the
expence muft be greater in proportion. We
may, however, give a flirewd guefs at this»
from obferving the price of his nephew's
boxes. In his Treatife, Mr. D. Wildman,
though h^ calls it comp/eU, has forgot to give
the dimenfions either of his hives or boxes ;
but the laft I take to be rather more than a
foot fqu are. One of thefe with four glalfes,
each containing about half a pint, and one
about three times as large in the middle, to-
gether with a cover to put over them, conies
to two guineas. The wood-work is of maho-
gany.

203. His ftraw hives, about fixteen inches
diameter, and eight deep, with leven glalTcs
a;id rtraw cover, half a guinea. The expence

G 3 of

86 SiriBures on Mr, Wildmansy $cc.

of one of my firaw hives, with barred top,
and fix half pint tumblers, fingle flint, and
one quart tumbler for the middle, will be
eight fhillings, viz,

GlafTes - - 5s.

Hive * * IS.

Barred Top - - 2s,

8s.

204. A pair of my boxes, made of painted
deal, with moveable top and bottom, will be
twelve {hillings.

205. A pair with three large panes of glafs
in the three fides, brafs hinges, moveable
top and bottom, all of painted deal, one
pound four {hillings.

206. Thefe are the extreme prices for
which any ingenious carpenter will make
them. No further comment is here wanted,
every one's reiledlion mufl readily make it.

CHAPTER

( 87 )

CHAPTER IX.

Rules tfW Cautions to be ohfa-ied in the
Pur chafing and Refno'va! rf Bees,

207. 'TT^ H E two feafons moft proper for
\ purchafing of Bees are, the
fpring for Swarms, and the auiiunn for Stocks.
The beft fvvarms ulually rife from the middle
of May to the middle of June.

208. If a perfon commences Bee-maQer,
or Apiator, in the fpring, he fhocld fend his
own hives or boxes to the neighbours he in-
tends to purchafe of any time before April,
that they may be in readinefs againft the
Swarms rife. But there will be danger of
impoiition unlefs the bargain be made for a,
Swarm that will at leall: meafure a peck j
and therefore a fmaller Swarm ought by no
means to be put into the hive.

209. When the hive is furniflied, and
before it is brought away in the evening, 't
fhould be held up and examined whether
the clufter of Bees be as bulky as it ought to
be, if not, it fliould be ftruck out upon, a
cloth, and another hive fet over ic (260). In
this cafe, a better Swarm muft be patiently
waited for; otherwife, the firft large Swarm
that {hall rife, may be bargained for amonz
the neighbours ; this fhould be brought home
the fame evening, when being difplaced from

O 4 the

B8 Rules and Cautions to he ohferved in

the hive they are In, the Intended hive fliould
be placed over them, and they will foon
aicend therein.

2 10. A fmall Swarm will not only yield no
profit the firfl feafon, but if the weather he
unfavourable, and the fituation bad, it will
be very likely to perilh before the next fum-
mer. A Swarm that will nearly fill one of my
ilravv hives, may be called a very good one,
and will turn out fweetly profitable before
the autumn comes on. If a large Swarm,
cannot be procured, two fmall ones, united
in one, (260, 366.) will anfwer the purpofe
as well.

211. If the Bees be not brought home the
fame evening that they fwarmed, many of
them will return to the place were they
^ood j and not knowing where to go, will
be loft.

And not only {o^ but if kept two or three
days before ihey are brought home, feveral
combs will be formed, which being new,
and confequently very tender and warm, a
flight motion will caufe them to fall, fmother-
ing many of the Bees, perhaps the Queea
herfelf, and thereby occafion the lofs of the
whole. But if through neceffity of any kind,
the Swarm be kept fo long, two or three
o'clock in the morning will be the fafeft time
to bring it away, as then the combs will be
the coolefi:.

212. September or Odober are the two
beft months to buy Stocks in. But it will be
proper, if you are not converfant in Bees, to

take

the Pur chafing and Removal 0/ B e e s . 89

take the judgment of fome fkilful and difin-
terefted neighbour. For it is abfolutely
neceiTary that the Stocks fliould be exa-
mined before they are purchafed. Perhaps
by attending to the following diredions
vou may become a competent judge your-
felf.

213. For performing this bufinefs, a cool
day, or a fine calm evening, or rather than
cither, the break of day, as at this time the
power of ftinging is weaked:, is to be pre-
ferred. Windy or rainy weather is improper
for this purpofe, as it makes the Bees very
fretful and quarrelfome. The armour (73)
will here be proper, or at leaft the face
("houid be well fecured. Gently turn the
hive up upon its edge, high enough to have
a full view of the Bees and combs ; if there
be many Stocks you want to examine, as
foon as the Bees become too troublefome,
leave them for about half an hour, or until
they feem tolerably quiet ; and then in like
manner proceed with the reft. But the beft
way will be to ufe the mefh or grated board,
hereafter mentioned (600, 602.)

214. Obferve that if the combs, as far as
you can fee, be of a white colour, or of a
flight tinge of yellow, they are the produce
g^ 2i Swarm of this year; but if of a very

.•very deep yellow or brownidi colour, the
Stock is of the preceding year. V/hen the
combs are of a very deep brown, or black,
the Stock is certainly an old one, perhaps
three or four years old, and totally unfit for

your

9© Rules and Cautions to be obfevoed In

your purpofe. Thefe require a more clofer
infpedion, as a fudden glance will not difco-
ver the truth ; for the bottoms and fides of
the combs, though apparently new, are
often made by old Stocks, while the reft of
the combs may be of three or four years
ftanding.

215. The fpaces, or ftreets, (if I may be
allowed to call them fo) between the combs,
fhould be well crowded with Bees, and the
combs themfclves well ftored with honey, down
to the floor, or nearly fo. If this is not the cafe
it is a lign it was a'Caft, or a Stock too poor
to form a thriving Apiary with. A good
Stock will weigh from twenty-five to forty
pounds j but in old Stocks, the weight can-
not be depended upon, (628.) which is ano-
ther reafon againft buying fuch.l

216. It will be more advantageous to
purchafe a good Stock in autumn, than a
Swarm in fpring. For there will be little
rilk of fuch a Stock's profperity until the
next feafon, when moft probably it will af-
ford a Swarm ; fo that for the fame price,
you may be faid to have both Swarm and
Stock. Whereas, if a Swarm be bought in
the fpring, there will probably be no advan-
tage until the next year.

217. In the vicinity of London, the price
of a Stock or Swarm is ufually half a guinea ;
but in diflant counties fcldom more than
lialf the money ; tkough fome country
people are fo ridiculoufly fuperllitious as to
fuppofe, that Bees will not thrive unlefs gold

be

the Fur chafing and Removal of ^hLS, 91

be paid for them. What abfurdities are
there, however grofs, which the human
mind has not adopted at one time or ano-
ther?

REMOVING.

218. It mufl: be in the dufk of the even-
ing, when all the Bees are at home. But
fome -hours previous, the hive fhould be
raifed a little from the floor, by bits of fticks,
or tiles, Sec. otherwife, when the hive is
fuddenly taken off, a great number of the Bees
will remain on the floor. A cloth that is
not of a very clofe texture, fhould be laid
ready upon the ground before the Stock,
then gently lifting up the Stock, fet it upon
the cloth, and immediately gathering the
corners up very tight, tie them together at
the top; and laflly, tie a cord round the
body of the hive; this vi^ill effectually pre-
vent any of the Bees efcaping, or crawling
up to the top. When brought home, fet
each hive upon the ground, near the ftand
It is deligned for, untie the cloth, and lifting
the hive off, fet it upon the ftand, and lay
the cloth with the Bees on it over the hive ;
before morning they will go down into the
hive, and none be loft. If the hives are to
be placed in a Bee-houfe, they muft not be
fet clofe to the front, for then the Bees on
the cloth cannot have entrance at the door-
way ji

92 Rules and Cautions to be obferved, &(?.

way ; but the next evening they fhould be
fhoved clofe.

219. As the llraw hives in common ufe
projed: more in the middle than at bottom,
confequently when placed in a Bee-houfe, a
vacancy w^ill be left between the hive and the
front. This chafm fhould be filled up by
cutting or hollowing out a piece of wood in
the middle, fo as to be very thin there, and
about three inches long, leaving the ends
fufficiently thick to fill up the vacancy; if it
does not exactly fit, a little clay, or cow
dung, will fupply the defed:, as it is only to
be ufed at firft, until the Bees have worked
themfelves into a box^

CONVEYANCE.

220. The befi: way of conveying Swarms
or Stocks from one place to another, is in a
hand-barrow between two men 3 the next to
that is by a milk yoke, with a hive on each
fide, or one or more hives may be hung
upon a flout flick, refting upon two men's
fhoulders. But where many are to be
removed, or when they are to be carried fe-
veral miles, a poft chaife, coach, or any other
vehicle that has an eafy play upon fprings, is
to be preferred : the hives mufl be carefully
placed upon a thick bed of flraw, and the
motion of the carriage flow and gentle.

For want of thefe, a cart may do ; adding
the more flraw, and taking care that the

horfes

( 93 )

horfes proceed only in their flowefl pace 5
otherwiie the combs will probably be moflly
(haken down, and the Stocks fpoiled.

CHAPTER X.

Ohfervations on the Increafe ^f Bees, and
Nature of Swarms.

221. ' I "^ HE increafe of Bees is of \Q,xy
j[ great importance to the owners,
for in proportion to that will be the profit,
and tuerefore every thing relating to this de-
lerves a ir.inute detail.

222. The breeding of young Bees is be-
gun looner or later, in proportion to the
proiiiic nature of the Queen, the ftrength of
the Stock, and the flate of the weather. The
more numerous the Bees are in a hive, the
greater the heat, which enables the Queen
of fuch Stocks to begin breeding much fooner
than the Queen of thofe that are poor and
weak ; the brood of which increafe but
ilowly, and are therefore later. If the weather
be mild the Queen will fometimes begin to
breed in January, but often in February, ex-
cept the feafon has been very cold, and is

very

94 Obfervations on the Increafe ^BeeSi

very backward, and then it will be March
firfl.

223. For a long continuance of cold wea-
ther, or of both cold and wet, greatly retards
the hatching of the brood, and caufes many
abortions, which may be feen thrown out of
the hives in fuch unkindly feafons. But when
the fpring is neither very early nor very late,
there will be the greatefl brood, and come-
quently the mofl numerous Swarms.

224. For as the influence of a mild Ipring
haftens the brood, it no lefs haftens the

^bloiToms. The fallows, the fnow drops, and
croculTes, thofe welcome harbingers of joy
and abundance to the Bees, (512.) afford
them at this time plenty of farina, without
which their young cannot be fuftained or ^
fed. But fhould wet weather fet in, while
thefe are in bloom, fo as to prevent their

.going out to colledt it, thofe already bred,
will pine for want, and very few will be
added to the number- until a more propitious
change. So that we fee there muil be a co-
incidence of weather and flowers to produce
timely and large Swarms.

225. It often happens that there is a long
feafon of proper v/eather for gathering farina,
(515.) even to the latter end of May j but
too cold for any flowers to afford honey.
During this tedious interval, the Bees having
nothing elfe to do, their whole attention
will be fixed folely to the increafe of their
family, not conlidering that famine will foon
begin to ftare them in the face.

226. Like

and Nature o/* Swarms. 95

226. Like too many of our own unthink-
ino- fpecies, who eagerly Icize the bhfs of
propagation, fupport the offspring who may !
Thus the Bees, having already a large fami-
ly, and that encreafing daily by hundreds,
at the fame time that the honey is wholly
or nearly exhaufted. In this perilous di-
lemma, they muft either flarve or lelfen
their numbers. Irrefiflible neceffity compel-
ling, they divide, and a Swarm rifes ; which
furely dies, if a warm feafon does not im-
mediately lucceed.

227. But if no young Princefs be ready
to lead a Swarm, the fuperabundance of
Bees will in a fliort time confume the fmall
remains of honey, and the whole vWll perifli
by famine, at a time, and from a caufe the
leaft fufpeded, and often fo late as the end
of May.

228, May and June are accounted the
two beft months for Swarms ; for thofe that
rife much fooner or later are either too few
to form good Swarms, and are in danger of
being fbarved, or by coming too late, im-
poverifli the old Stock by too large a de-
creafe ; and themfelves not being able to lay
in a fufficiency of fuftenance for the winter,
will run the utmoft hazard of dying alfo.
To the middle of July I have had Swarms,
and known many others, that have fucceeded;
but later than this none fhculd be fuffered
to fwarm. The beft method of accomplifh-
ing this is to raife the Stocks (231).

229. If the fpring has been good for

breeding

9 6 Ohfervations on the Increafe o/Bee^j

breeding, but no honey gathered until late, zi
perhaps until the middle of June, however
capacious their hive may be, the Bees will
certainly fwarm. This is repugnant to what
fome writers have taught ; trufting to whom I
have loft many Swarms, by neglecting to have
/them watched ; and there is no doubt, but
many others have done fo too, and fuffered
the lame lofs. Long and great experience
has fincc fully convinced me of the falla-
cioufnefs of this principle*

I have had Bees both in boxes and hives
that increafed fo faft, and feemed fo crouded,
that to prevent their fwarming (as I then
thought) they were raifed gradually three
ftories high. But notwithftanding all thefe
precautions, every one of them fwarmed*
nay fome of them caft befide ; and in fuch
indifferent weather, that no one could have
fufpeded any Swarms would have rifen. One
year in particular, though my Bees were fo
prone to fwarm, feveral of the neighbouring
Stocks, being over charged with young,
were obliged to lie out for want of room,
and did not fwarm at all. In this inftance
we obferve, plenty of room induced mine
to fwarm j while others for w^/z/ of room,
laid out, and never attempted to fwarm.

We may further notice, that in hollow
trees, and under the roofs of houfes, which
afford the Bees unlimited room, yet it is
well known that even in thefe fituations they
always fend out Swarms.

230. On

^nd Nature c/' 3 w A r m s . ^j

230. On the contrary, when honey is tQ
be met with early, and in plenty, and the
Bees have abundant fpare room, it is a great
chance if they Twarm at all 5 not being
willing to leave a houfe well furnidicd to
go in quell of a new habitation, ai; here every
thing will be wanted. What more confirms
me in this opinion is, that in the fummer
of i779» a very remarkable one for the
produdlion of honey, only two of my Stocks,
which I purpofely had not ralfed, Iwarmed.
The reft filled iheir hives (o fail, that I
\vas obliged to raife them twice. While
the Stocks of the country people in the
xieighbourhood> fwarmed, and call feve-
ral times J nay Swarms produced Swarms;
(or as the country people phrafe it) had
iiiaiden Swarms.

2310 This was owing to there being
jplenty of Drones, and of young PrincelTes
ready to lay ; fo that their hives being too
fmall to hold them, the honey, and young
brood> and their owners not polTefTing in-
genuity enough to aiRft them, they could
do no otherwiie than divide. To this caufc
ahb it is owing, that Stocks are obliged to
fwarm and caft fo often as to impoverifli
themfelves intirely. Similar obfervations were
made by Butler in the year 16 16. Herein
the Bees adl like parents aitedtionate to tx-
ccfs, who ftrip themfelves to enrich t'.eir
ofFspring, and by that means become ex-*
pofed in the wmter of old age to ail tiie
rigours of poverty.

H 232. The

98 Obfervafions on the Increafe ofBE'Ei,

232. The more pregnant PrincelTes there
are, the more eager the Bees are to fwarr^
(other favourable circumflances coinciding).
On the contrary, if none of f/je/e are ready,
be the quantity of the Bees ever fo many,
no Swarm will rife, but will rather die than
quit the hive. This fa6t has been fully al-
certained by the examination of Stocks, which
could by no means whatever be induced to
fwarm, and were always found with only the
old Queen j the royal eggs, or embryos, hav-
ing failed, or been deftroyed by accident.

233. Early Swarms are not always bed:,
viz. from the entrance of April until the
middle of May, the weather often changing
from one extreme to another j which either
flarves or otherwife fo reduces them, that
they become of little worth. But there is
no rule without exceptions. For I have
known early Swarms which multiplied fo
much as to produce a maiden Swarm fo
late as the 30th of July, and profpered. I
alfo knew two old Stocks that produced fix
Swarms the fame feafon, moftly good. But
it was in an excellent feafon and fituation,
and no other Stocks near them. Such Stocks
with me, inftead of thus increafing, would
not have furvived the winter. Moreover,
in fuch favourable fituations, many Swarms
have rifen about the ninth of May, though
very cool weather, with northerly winds,
and which continued fome weeks. From
thefe circumflances I inferred that they would

not

ancl Nature (j/SwARMS. 99

hot be able to procure fuftenance. They de-
ceived me however, for they not only lived
but proved vigorous and profperous. Such
difference is there in fituations !

234. A large early Swarm, with favourable
weather fucceeding, will be far fuperior to
one that is later j for having fo much time
before them, they will be well replenifhed
with ftout ycung labourers, ready to reap
the honey harvelt, the fweet reward 6^ all
their toil. The Mother Stock, at the fame
time, will be in the fame thriving condition :
the old proverb applying here moft admi-
rably, viz. ** Many hands make light work."
If bad weather, indeed, (liould fupervene
they will require a little attendance and ex-
pence in feeding; for which tlieir future
toils will mere than doubly compenfate.

235. Butler has given us a judicious ftand-
ard to judge of the propriety of the time of
Swarms riline, viz. *' that Swarms be-
** fore the blowing oi knapweed^ are in good
** time. Thofe before the blowing of black-
" berries may profper. But blackberry
** Swarms, efpecially Cafts, will be feldom
** worth keeping, as being too late to lay
" in a proper llore for the winter. Such
** fhould be returned back to the ^tock."

236. In another place he obTerves, ** that
** in fome backward years, as was 1621
** and 1622, there have been Swarms the
** latter end of July thit profoered. For it
" is remarkable, the bratnble did not blow

H 2 *' until

too Ohfervations on the Increafe (?/"BeeS>

*' until that time, which ufed to blow a
'* fortnight fooner.

*' So in warm countries, and a kind fpring,
** Swarms have come early in May \ whereas
** in the heath countries Swarms are as late
** as near the end of July, which often prove
*' better than the early." Near woods the
Bees obtaining from the trees plenty of farina
to ittdi the brood with, is the reafon why
Stocks, in fuch fituations, have large Swarms,
and early.

237. The common working Bees arc firfl
bred, then the Drones and Princefies. In '^^wt-
ral, the Drones do not appear until the middle
oF May, but large Stocks will fometimes have
them as early as March, in April very com-
mon. Hives will often be fo full of Bees as
to clufler out before any Drones (liew them-
felves J and, for want of which, they will not
fvvarm ; not but there may be a few Drones
in the hive, though not fufficient in numbers
to make their appearance : or the air may be
too cold for them, though not for the Com-
moners; for the Drones are much tenderer
than thefe. When they are moft numerous,
the Swarms are mod likely to rife. If this
happens early, in general fo will the Swarni
be; if late, the contrary.

238. Butler obferves, that fometimes the
firft brood of Drones in the fpring will be
killed, and call: out. I obferved a funilar in-
itance in a Stock, which in the beginning of
May was full of Bees and Drones, but the
middle of the month affording plenty of ho-
ney.

and Nature (j/" SwARMS. loi

ney, to make room for it, they not only
kilied the Drones, but the brood alio ; hun-
dreds of which hiv before the hive.

239. The generality of country people are
fo ignorant of the nature of the Drones as to
imagine they are doing great fcrvice in de-
ilroying them as foon as they appear j which
is full as wife, as if they were to kill all the
males of their flocks or of their poultry, in
order to have the more chickens or lambs.
Good dames ! ifvou love vour huibands, che-
rifli the Drones, for they cheriHi the Queen,
even as your hull^ands cherii?i you !

240. 1 have experienced, that in a fum-
mer, extremely dry, few PrincefTes were born,
and many of the Queens dying of old age
(as I fuppofe) there were but few Swarms, and
many Stocks deferted their hives for want of
Queens. Though this was the caufe, few
perhaps knew it^ and therefore other caufes
were afligned.

241. As witchcraft in feveral counties is
fuppofed to do a great deal of mifchief j in
theie, and fimilar cafes, fuch lolTes will be at-
tributed to it; and he who Ihall dare to dif-
believe it, will be confidered as an atheiif.
But what is this witchcraft ? a power fuppofed
to be communicated by the devil, or by miany
devils (for the chief cannot be omnipre-
fent) to fome ugly crols old woman, to do
what mifchief Ihe pleafes to her neighbours,
who do not pleafe her ; an opinion founded
in paganifm, nurfed in fuperftition, propaga-*
ted by oral tradition, and believed with as

n 3 ileady

102 Ohfervations on the Increaje tf/BnES,

fleady a faith, by thefe credulous fimple ones,
as the moft facred tenets of the Gofpel. Such
people (hould confider, that if Providence
*^ fufFcrs not a fparrovv to fall without his
** permiflion," it muft be the height of ab-
furdity to fuppofe, that infinite vvifdom and
goodnefs vvill permit, much leis give a power
to dcemons, or women, becaufe they are old
and ugljy to injure their neighbours, in a fu-
pernatural manner, according to their own
capricious, foolifh, and unjuft refentments.

242. Doubtlefs the lovely females, bloom-
ing in virtue, youth, and beauty (fuch is the
will of Heaven) have always had an inherent
power of fafcinating the mind and body of
man : and this has been exerted not only a-
mong the gentle ruflics of the peaceful village
but emperors and heroes, philofopbers and
divines, reclufe monks, and men of bufinefs,
have 'SiAfelt and yielded to its irrefiftible fway.

But from fuch a wonderful influence the
Bees are entirely exempt. What difafters be-
fal them generally arife from the ignorance
or indolence of thole who fuperintend them.

243. A Swarm confifts not of all young, as
many falfely imagine, but of a Queen, of
Drones, and of working Bees, both old and
young J and fuch as happen to be at the door-
way, when a Swarm rifts, go off with it.

244. The lying-out, or cluftermgof Bees,
on the outfide of the hive, is often a great di-
munition of the expecfted profit ; and alfo ac-
cuitoms them to habits of idlenefs. It is oc-
eafioned by the continual and large increafe of

young,

and Nature of Swarms. lo;^

young, whereby the hive becomes (o crowd-
ed, and in the day time fo hot, as to oblige
great numbers of Bees, to lodge or clufter on
the outfide, and about the door-way and front
of the hive. Frequently at firft they only lie
out in the day-time; at night the hive being
cooler, they arc colleded clofer together,
whereby the whole are admitted : but unfa-
vourable weather, the want of a Princefs, or
of Drones, preventing their fwarming for fome
time, they become too numerous for the ha-
bitation to hold them, either night or day.

245. Pure necefTity obliges them at firfl:,
but afterwards they contracft a liking to their
new fitaation ; others alfo daily join them in
their idlenefs, and in fuch numbers, that
often there are as many Bees on the outlidc of
the hive as within. In confequence of this,
the young PrincelTes, who always reiide with-
in, not having a fufficient number there, or
inclination to form a Swarm, none will rifei
until growing too late in the feafon for fwarm-
ing, they at laft betake themfelves to build
fome combs by the fides of the hives, or under
the floors, and there remain until autumn :
not but there may be fome exceptions. I
have known Stocks increafe fo faft, that not-
withftanding thefe exterior clufters, they have
fvvarmed, and left the idlers behind j who
afterwards perceiving room enough within, ■
quitted their ftations, and entered the hive

ao-am.

246. It not unfrequently happens that their
lying out, and that for feveral weeks, and

H 4 wiih

IQ4 Ohfervations on the Inereafe ofBEES,

with favourable weather, is owing to ther©
being no Princefs yet born, or in a condition
to lead them. This I conjecture from having
many times obferved my box-hives crowded,
wellftored with Drones, and the Bees feemingly
defirous of fwarming, but yet did not, for a
confiderable time. Now as feveral royal cells
were clofe to the windows during this time,but
not finifhed or fealed up, no Sv/arm rofe until
Ibme time after they were fo : on the con^
trary, when there is a very forward Princefs>
or perhaps feveral competitors, a Swarm will
rife without any previous indications, and
when the hive is far from being crowded j
conftquently fuch Swarms will btj always
imall.

2.47, It is obvious, that a large quantity of
Bees lying out inadive, at the moft critical
time, vv'hen their labour might be of the greats
eft fervice, mufl be a very confiderable iofs to
the owner. For inflead of this, if they had
fwartned in that time they might have filled a
hive with honey, or produced as much in an
additional hive, had one been furniflied them.
A ftrong indication this inftwour of our double
method, Another inconvenience is their
hindering and obihuding the paifage of the o-
ther Bees, and hy their example inciting many
others to be as idle as themfelves : No un-
common cafe among idlers of the human
race | Nor is this all, for having obtained
this indolent habit, it will be communicated
to the next generation ^ for k is obferved,

that

a?2d Nature of Swarms, lo^

that Bees from thefe Stocks are much more
apt to lie out than any others. For the
prevention, fee (249).

248. Many perfons on feeing fuch cluf-
ters of Bees upon their hives, have imagined,
that by getting them into an empty hive,
they fhould have a complete Swarm ; but
thofe attempts have always been unfuccefsful,
all the Bees uniformly returning home again,
and cluftering as before. The reafon is, they
have no Queen with them : without whom no
feparate Swarm can poffibly be eftablifhed.
For the treatment of Bees that lie out for
want of previous care, fee (282).

249. An objedlion perhaps may be made
againil the raifing of hives, in order to cure
them of lying out, viz. that it will prevent
their fwarming. It has been fhewn, that it
has not always that effed: (229). But if it
had, they had better not fwarm at all than
lie out. The Bees themfelves will be the beft
judges; but, fuppofing they do not fwarm,
they are not idle, but fully and continually
employed in compleating their own hives, and
filling the new apartment you have enlarged
their habitation with. We will likewife fup»
pofe fo bad a feafon, that they cannot fpare
you a hive of honey the prefent fummer :
Kotwithflanding this, as their increafe of
brood has been continual, the next year
they will make you amends for your forbear-
ance : by being not only a powerful Stock,
lout alfoby coipplimenting you v/ith a large and

early

io6 Ohfevoations on the Increafe cf Bees,

early Swarm ; and probably, with a hive of
honey, as an additional recompence.

250. Several figns or tokens are defcribed
by different authors, portending the ri/i/ig of
Swarms. Thofe of moft note, I fliall prefent
to my readers. The firft fymptom of a Stock's
being nearly in a condition of fwarming, is
their populoufnefs, and the appearance of
Drones. The iirft is known by the more than
ordinary concourfe of Bees going in and out.
Alfo, by rapping againft the body of the hive
in the evening, judgment may be formed of
their flrength by the buz; and when many
of the Drones are feen, it denotes that there
has been plenty of Bees for fome time.

251. Hives that are very full of Bees will
make a noife almofl: approaching to roaringj
fo much fo as to induce one to imagine they
are juft going to fvvarm, it fhews indeed their
impatience to fwarm, but alfo that they have
no Princefs as yet equal to the tafk ; and
therefore this noife may be continued feveral .
days before their flight.

252. Should a Stock in the morning, in-
/lead of working, remain playing about the
liive, it is a fure iign they intend fwarming
that day, the weather permitting ; but they
as frequently rife at the very inflant that
multitudes are going in loaded, many of whom
go off with the emigrants. Ufually before
their flight, there is an uncommon buz, that
may be heard at a conliderable diftance.
Hives that ftand fronting the .morning Sun
will rife earlier in the dc\y than thofe that
Hand to the louth or well:.

253- Lyi

and Nature ^Swarms, 107

253. Lying out is a fign of their defire of
Cvvarniing. Firlt Swarms frequently rife with-
out (hewing any other fign than an increafe of
riumbers. Fird Swarms are often divided or
broken, by fome cafualty, as a fudden ftorm,
dark clouds, fhowers, thunder, or by tink-
ling before they have all done coming out.
By thefe noifes the remainder are intimidaced,
and flay behind ; or if the whole be out,
cither fearing a florm, dilliking their pitch-
ing-place, being too much diilurbed in the
hiving, or lofmg the Princefs, they retura
back again. The Princefs going out with
them, being fometimes too weak for flight,
drops down by the way ; in this cafe, flie may
be often found, when if placed in fight of the
Swarm, the Bees will prefently fettle round her.

254. A firft Swarm, except it happens to
be broken, is worth two or three after ones ;
or, as they are generally called. Carts and
Colts : but when this accident befalls it, if
the next comes forth one entire Swarm it
will be better than the fir/1:, though perhaps
it may leave the mother Stock too poor, ii^i)

255. Butler obferves (as do alfo feveral other
writers both before and after him) that three
or four nights before a fecond Swarm rifes,
there is a peculiar noife in the hive, very diffe-
rent from the ufual buzzing of Bees, and which
is heard upon no other occafion. Mills, *
(who feems to be no Bce-Mafler) treats this
as an illufion of the inKigination, ; I vvas of
the lame opinion, until accidentally flanding

by

r- -' ~ _

* Ellay on Btcs.

io8 Ohferoations on the hicreafe of Bees,

my bee-houfe about ten o'clock at night, I was
attrad:ed by thefe very unufual aud mufical
founds. Perfons verfed in muiic can tolerably
judge of an odtave ; fuch thefe refpedlive notes
appeared to me, and fuch alfo as could not be
made by the wings, but feemed as if proceed-
ing from a tube. What the intention of thefe
notes might be I pretend not to determine;
whether they be made at dated periods be-
fore fecond Swarms rile, is not much to cur
purpofe J becaufe it is not likely that many
Apiators v^ili have either time or inclination
to watch thefe notices, therefore it is a mat-
ter rather of curiolity than of utility..

256. Butler indeed, writes, that, *' Firi^
'* Swarms rife without thefe notices ; but-
*' after Swarms or Cafts hardly ever without,
** From the 8th to the nth day after the
*^ firfi Sv/arm is departed, the other young
*' Princeffes that are pregnant, will make
** the like petitions. Confent being hadj^
«' the young Queen the next morning comes
«' down near the floor, and there calls much
'* louder, and at the moment of fwarming,
'* the notes are more frequent and fhriller i
** and then iilues the buzzing multitude."

257. ** If rainy or tempcftuous weather,
** prevents their fecond or third Cafls, until
** beyond the 14th day, one of the young
«* Queen's is flain en the morning of the 15 th
*' day, lefl a fedition Ihould be raifed, and a
** civil war overturn the empire.

258. ** So fenfible are the PrincelTes of
** their tragical fate, if left behind, that fome-

** times

Gfid Nature of ZwAV^us, .109^

*' times two or three will accompany a fingle
** Swarm; or if the weather continues indif-
** ferent a conlidcrable time, often one more
** bold than the reft, will coax as many com-
** panions as (lie can, and though only a few,
•* will lead them forth, trufting to fortune
** for fuccefs.

** If the firft Swarm be divided or broken,
** the fecond will call, and fwarm the f >oner,
** probably the very next day, and th-cre-
** by occafion a third, or fomeiimes a fourth,
** but all within a fortnight after the iirfl ;
** unlefs prevented by bad weather, or ex-
*' cept in ibme extraordinary plentiful years
** and fituations both for br^od and honey
** gathering."

259. When two or more PrincefTes ac-
company one Swarm they ufually fettle in dif-
ferent clufters ; but thofe of the fmalleft {q\-
dom tarry, joining themfelves to the larger
body, the young Queen following.

260. As to fecond Swarms, much lefs
Cafts, very few are ever worth keeping, with-
out the fituation and feafon have been uncom-
monly favourable. The reafon is, the Bees of
every Stock have to provide for, and take
care of, a numerous brood, as well as to col-
le(ft honey 3 but as after-fwarms are but few
in number, compared with the firfl:, they
muft fall (hort, in performing both thele
talTcs in any degree adequate to what the iirft
can do; but as they are more intent upon the
increafe of the brood than procuring honey
in autumn they will not have a fulhciency

of

! 10 Obfervatlons on the Increafe of Bees t

of honey to fupport them until the next feafon^
and therefore will die of famine. Or if taken,
the honey will be but trifling ; whereas, had
they been united to a Stock, or feveral of
thefe Cafts incorporated together fo as
to form a good Swarm, it would not only
preferve them for next year, but alfo yield a
good profit.

261, It is ufual with the Bees before they
fwarm, to fend out mefl'engers or quarter-
malfers to feek out and prepare proper habi-
tations : empty hives left in a garden, will
fometimes be chofen. In fuch a cafe, two
or three hundred Bees may be {ten going
in and out, to clean the hive : on feeing this,
you may depend upon a Swarm entering into
it within a few days. I have often experien-
ced this myfelf, as well as fome of my neigh-
bours. The fame may be obferved of hollow
trees, vacancies under the roofs of houfes,
and other fimilar places.

262. It may be readily known that a Swarm
has efcaped, if the Bees in going in or out
od not feem near fo numerous as before.

263.Notwithftandingall that has been writ-
ten re fpec^ting the figns and tokens of the rifing
of Swarms, 1 am fully fatisfied from my own
experience, that they are very fallacious, and
not to be trufted to, without running the ut-
mofl hazard of lofing fome of the Swarms j and
I am well perfuaded that the only fecurity is
keeping a condant and clofe watch over them,
(278) from the time they begin to be con-

fiderably

and Nature of Swarms. i i i

fiderably increafed until the fwarming i^'iXovi
be over. For they will frequently rife in Aich
very indifferent weather, and fometimes £o
very early in the feafon, that no one could have
fufpeded any fuch thing. \n thefe circum-
, fiances they frequently fly quite away without
fettliiio^ at all j and without giving any pre-
vious ligns, or intimations of fuch a difpofi-
tion.

264. As no Swarm ought to be kept un-
lefs a good one, whether it be a firfl:, a fe-
cond, or any other j but mufl: be return-
ed again (370) or united ( 366) it may be
both ufetuJ and amufing to elfimate the
weight, meafure, and number of Bees, fuf-
ficient to niake what may be truly called a
good Swarm.

265. ** It has been found, (fays Butler)
" that a larger number than 40 or 50,000
*' will not thrive together in one hive.

Swarms often amount to 30,000. A large
Swarm may weigh eight pounds, and gra-
** dually Itfs to one pound ; confequently, a
<« very go >d one weighs five or iix pounds, a
** moderate one four pounds. No Swarm
" lefs than this Ihould be kept, but united
*' with others."

266. 1 dilagree with Butler in this. For
•^ I think a fix pound Sjodg. is full little enough

to turn to a good account ^ efpecially in the
double mode ; where they ought never to
want room, confequently fuch a Swarm in a
tolerable feafon will furniib a hiv<: of vircrin

o

honey. Therefore, all Swarms, iefsthan/Ar

pounds*

ii2 Ohfervatlons on the Increafe c/'JBees*

pounds, efpecially in moderate fituations, 1
would recommend to be united with fmall
Swarms or Cafts. If there be enough to make
half a bufhel, it will be ftill more eligible.

267. The following eftimate is given us
by different writers of the weight and num-
ber of Bees :

BUTLER.

280 to an Ounce
4,480 - - a Pound
40 or 50,000 to ten or
eleven Pounds.

W I L D M A N.
308 an Ounce
4,928 a Pound.

Natural Hiftory of Bees*

336 to an Ounce
5,366 - - a Pound
43,800 — 8 Pounds*

According to my own
Eftimate.

290 an Ounce
4,640 a Pound.

- 915 Half a Pint 3 2fi:
1,830 a Pint 6 5I-

3,660 a Quart 12 io|

lb. cz. dr.
29,280 a Peck 656
Winchefter Meafurc.

268. The dlfagreement of weight and
meafure in thefe feveral experiments feems
to arife from the different ftate of the Bees at
the time of examination ; for certainly they
muft weigh and meafure more v/hen theif
bellies are full than when empty, the cafe
of Stocks that die^ alfo thofe loaded with
farina, weigh and meafure more than thofe
only with honey. This was fully confirmed
to me by experiments made at different
times^ which always varied 3 but from the

average

C 113 ) •

Average of the whole, the calculation given
feems nigheft the truth, at lead it is fufhcient
for any purpof» the pratflitioner may require.

CHAP. IX.

Precautions anJ Rules to be ohferved tn
the Managing and Hiving ^Swarms.

£69. T T will he highly prudent to have
JL your hives in readinefs before
the Swarms are likely to rife. For want
of this neceffary forethought many Swarms
have taken French leave, and been heard of
no more.

270. The infide of {IraW hives (hould be
rubbed with aftifFhair brufli, or coarfe cloth,
to get off the little bits or fnags of ftraw;
which otherwife will occafion the Bees a great
deal of trouble and lofs of time to gnaw off,
when they might be more ufefully employed
in building their combs.

271. Boxes alfo fhould be cleaned from all
little fplinters, or other roughnefs, and made
as fmooth as poffible j every ho* i or crevice
mufl: be flopped up with putty, or the Bees,
to keep out the air and vermin, will be

I obliged

ii4 F 7' e cautions and Rides in Managing

obliged to do it with propolis ; for what you
may do with one llroke in a moment will coft
them many minutes, and perhaps the labour
of hundreds.

272. I ufe no other preparation to my
hives ', but perchance fome good dames may
cot be fatisfied with this limplicity, and
therefore I would recommend to them if they
muft do any thing more, to rub the top of
the hives with a mixture of ale and fugar, or
of ale and honey : but in boxes, the rubbing
the upper part and fides with wax v:i\\ be
bell, as being not only agreeable to the Bees,
but alfo enabling them to crawl up the
hive with greater eafe. Rubbing hives with
fweet herbs is of no ufe, for it is the honey
at the bottom of the flowers that the Bees
are fond of and not the leaves. How ridi-
culous to u(q fen72el, a plant they hardly ever
approach, as if that would intice them. In
fhort, they feldom diflike their hives if they
have got a goodly company, andagood j?iijlrejs.

273. Thofe that continue to ufe common
hives, fliould have feveral of them, from two
to three pecks each, in readinefs ; becaufe
Swarms differ fo much in magnitude, that a
two-peck hive may often prove too fmall j
but no Swarm fliould be put into a hive lefs
than half a bufiiel. Hov/ever, after the Bees
are hived, if they be not contented and quiet,
or lie out, it will be proper to raife the hive
by placing two or three rounds or more of
an old hive underneath fo as to make it hi^zh

enough to receive the whole.

2/4. Straw

hnd Hhi?7 7 of Swarms. ti^

274. Straw hives or boxes, with openings
^t top, have this advantage, that if not fut-
ficiently large, another can be immediately
added without any difficulty. After having
once put a large Swarm in one of my boxes, I
perceived the Bees to be very much difpleafcd»
and in great con fufion ; I immediately placed
another box over them, but ftill the uproar not
only continued, but incrcafed, and the Bees
began to pour out of the box : conje.5laring
then, that they had loft their young Princefs,
I examined the ground near the box, and
found a fmall clufter of Bees, in the midlt of
which was the Royal Ladv. I immediately
took her up, and placed her at the door-way
of the box, from which the Bees were run-
hing i a ftop immediately enfued, a retreat
vvas founded, the emigrants returned, and
nothing was to be heard but acclamations
of joy.

275. If for feveral years together Swarms
come late, and perhaps feme Stocks do not
fwarm at all; though the feafons be tolerably
good, it may be taken for granted that the
hives are too large, or the Stocks too many :
on the contrary, if the Svvarms be too early,
and but fcanty in number, it indicates the
hives to be too fmall : a fingle year cannot
determine this, feafons being fo very different
from each other; fomething therefore muft
be left to experience, and each perfons fa-
gaciry.

276. Hives are generally fpleeted, that is,
fmall (licks arc placed within the hives to

I 2 fupport

i 1 6 Precautions and Rules in Managing

fupport the combs, and keep them fteady.
Country people fix too many, and thefe alfo fo
improperly as to render it impofiible to take
the combs out without rmafliing and man-
gling them, by this means fouling and waft-
ing the honey. The Bees are endowed with
ability fufficient to faften their combs, pro-
vided the hives are not to be moved ; but
as this is requifite, one ftick fixed acrofs the
hive, within about two inches of the bottom,
and from right to left, will fully fecure the
combs, upon any neceftary removal or in-
verfion.

2jy. For as the Bees generally build their
combs in parallel lines to the door- way, the
fpleet or ftick being placed at right angles,
or the reverfe of the combs, each of thefe
will necellarily reft, and be faftened by the
Bees to the fpleet, thereby rendering any
more fuperfluous. When the combs are to
be taken out, a notch is to be cut in each
comb as far as the fpleet, which may be then
pulled up, and the combs taken out entire.

^78. During the whole feafon of fwarm-
ing the Bees ftiould be carefully watched.
This feafon is fometimes very long. In the
year 1779 my Bees were obliged to be watch-
ed from the beginning of April until the end
of July J but this is feldom the cafe : how-
ever fo long as any Stocks have not fwarmed,
they certainly require to be attended to. In
fome years a month will be long enough.
Thofe who keep half a dozen Stocks or more
may get poor children to watch them for a

trifling

and Hiving ^Swarms. 117

trifling reward ; and thus at a fmall expence
ferve th mielves and a poor family at the
fame time. In the lo?igeJl feafon it cannot
exceed half a guinea. Suppofing only one
Swarm to be faved by this means, it will
pay the whole ; but in general the expence
will noc be near fo much. A conflant
watch however ought moft certainly to be
kept : For Swarms very frequently rife, as has
been obferved, without (hewing the leaft
fymptom of their intention. Many Swarms
I have loft formerly by not attending to
the profrtable docftrine of conflant watch-
fulneTs : for as Swarms often rife fuddenlv,
if a perfon be abfent but five minutes the
Swarm may be gone.

279, The fwarming hours are generally
reckoned to be frum nine o'clock to two.
This is very wrong, for Swarms frequently
rife as early as eight, and as late as four.
Whoever therefore trufls to fewer hours will
often fuftain a confiderable lofs; as will alfo
thofe who truil: to their not fwarming in indif--
ferent weather : \ myfelf have had, and know
many others who have alfo had Swarms rife
in what we may call cold weather in May,
and in mifling clouded days. The Bees are
a people fo uncertain in their motions, that
a conflant eye muft be kept upon them in all
weathers, except indeed a hard Hiovver cf
rain, hail, or fnow. Let us not therefore to
fave a few (hillings, run the hazard of lofing
pounds. No one ought to expect to be fuc-

1 3 cefsful

1 1 8 Precautions and Rhles in Managing

cefsful with Bees, any more than with pig§
or pouhry, which prolit but little without
care and attendance.

280. I'he diladvantages of the Bees lying-r
out, have been already treated of, (244) we
now proceed to point out the only remedy
againft this vicious habit that can turn to any
profit,

281. When a Stock is not wanted to
fwarm, it fhould be raifed as foon as the
Bees begin to work brifkly, flopping
the bottom door-way until full fwarm-
3ng-time ; for if they arc not raifed until
they feem to want it, the doing thereof v/ill
often occafion them to Swarm ; on the con-
trary, when a well replenilhed Stock is in-
tended to fwarm, but the Bees begin to af-
femble in idlenefs, they may be permitted to
do fo four or five days, but no longer.

, 282. This idle habit (liould be broken
By raifing the Stock, rather than fuffered to
increafe, though fwarming during the w^hole
feafon, fhould be prevented by this proceed-
ing : for frequently the dif^urbance of rail-
ing provokes them to fwarm in a day or two
afterwards ; and therefore a firidt look-out
muft be kept.

I once had a box Swarm, which after-
wards layed out, notw^ithllanding as many
glafs velfels were fet over them as amounted
to a peck ; much vt'ork being done in the
glafles, I did not choofc to take them off, and
therefore a little box was fcrewed on over the
ciull&r and door-T7ay j and a frefh door- way

made

and IIivi?7g of Swarms. 119

made therein. They built in that box, and
fucceeded well, when taken away as Toon as
honev-gathering ceafed. Where Bees are
kept in common hives that cannot be conve-
niently raifed, any convenient velTel placed
over the lareeil chifter, and fixed as near the
door-way as poffibie, will anlwer the fame
purpofe; the beli tim.e to do it, is after the
clofe of the day, either by moon light, or by
a candle and lantern ; but '^t no nearer a
diftance than jull to fee how to perform the
bufinefs.

283. But fhould this not (uccced, having
put on a pair of gloves, and fecured your
lace with a malk, at the clofe of evening, or
rather at day-break, hold a hive, or other
vellel under the largef} duller that lie out,
gently puihing the empty hive upward, that:
as much of the clufter may hang in it as pof-
fibie ; then with a ftiff wire, ilip of tin, or
thin ftick, drawn clofely and very gently
againd: the bottom of the floor or Ifool, fe-
parate the Bees therefrom, fo as to fall into
the hive underneath ; or, the vefTel or hive
itfeif drawn by a ilcilful hand againlf the bot-
tom, will have the fame effect.

284. But if they clufter roimd the hive,
and not underneath, hold the bottom edge
of an empty hive, fo as to be even, or upon
a level with the ftand ; then with a brufh or
rather a wing, gently move the clufter for-
ward, until they fall into the hive ; but if
they hang about fo inconveniently that this
cannot be effeded, they may be taken up by

I 4 a fpoon

J 20 Precautions and Rules in Managing

a fpoon and put into the hive (384). Should
there be danger of fome of the Bees fall-
ing on the ground during the operation, a
cloth fpread thereon, will receive them, and
"being afterwards laid over, or about the
fkirts of the hive, the ftragglers before morn-
ing will be returned home.

285. The Bees you have taken may be re-
turned to the Stock, which in the interim
fhould be raifed by an ekeing, or lift, that is,
two or three rounds of another hive placed
under them , or, for want of thefe, by ftones
or portions of bricks laid at proper ditlances
■underneath. Then take the hive or veflel
that has the outliers in it to the old Stock,
turn it upfide down, and ftrike the edge
forcibly upon a floor or fbool, clofe to the
Stock \ the Bees will fall out and join the
family before morning ; then clofe all the
openings v/ith clay or cow dung, leaving only
the ufual entrance. Thus having fufficient
room, they will either immediately begin to
extend their works, or fvvarm in a day or
two after. A coyer Giould be fufpended over
them during the night ; and alfu over ^uch
Bees that lie out, lell: hafty (liowers walh
them down, and deftroy them.

286. Another method is to take the ol4
Stock off the fiand, raife it as before dire6:ed,
and fet it upon a fluol about a foot diflant:
from the ftand. Then lay a fmall piece of
board from the Stock to the Itand, to ferve
as a bridge. Let them remain in this litua-
tion all night, The noiie of the Stock, oc-

cafioned

and Hiving of Swarms, i2i

cafioned by the removal will alarm the
clufler of idlers, who mifling tlie heat and
conne(!tion they before had, will prefcntly be
in motion and anxious to find their compa-
nions J this they will foon do by pafling the
bridge j and now finding ample room, will
be received with joy. The Stock the next
evening may be fet in its ufual place.

287. Butifvou want Bees to ftrengthen
a Weak or backward Stock ; flrike them out
(260) at night before the Stock, and by the
morning they will be incorporated ; or, (and
which is the beft mode) take a bucket, pail,
&c. or four or five rounds of ftraw cut out
of an old hive. On either of thefe, turn
the hive of idlers upfide down, and imme-
diately fet the Stock over them.

'To Hive Bees properly,

288. I would recommend no other defence
than what I ufe myfelf, and which few perfons
will probably objecfl to or think extravagant.
My meaning is, to drink a cup of good ale,
and to rub fome of it over your face and
hands, for as the Bees love the fmell of this
liquor, when good, it will be no fmall recom-
mendation to their favour. While this agree--
able exhalation therefore is rifing from you,
caft away fear, for you may hive them with
fafety, provided it be done with care and
proper precautions. Boldnefs and gentlenefs
are now equally ncceffary, every motion muft
be deliberate, and without any hurry. Be
particularly careful not to cruih any of the

JBees,

122 Of Hiving Swarms.

Bees, for the fmell of their brulled bodies
will excite the reft to fury and vengeance,
Grejft care is at this time peculiarly necelTary,
as without circumfpecftion, you may even
kill the Queen herfelf, as is too often done,
and which will infallibly occalion the Swarm,
though well hived, to return home.

289. There is little danger to be appre-
hended from the Bees when they fwarm,
becaufe at that time they have many fears
and apprehenfions, and are therefore uncom-
monly gentle and pacific. At fuch times I
have thruft my naked hand up into the middle
of a Swarm as they hung upon a bough,
without the Bees fliewing the leaft refent-
ment : which, had they been in their hiveSji
they would not have fuffered without the ut-
moft indignation. But in bad weather, efpe-
cially if it be windy, they become more
irafcible, and will not fuffer any one to be
quite fo familiar with them \ a pair of gloves
will then be neceflary.

290. Some are fo very fimple, as either
to fumigate the Bees with fmoke, or throw
water on them, from a notion of making
them fettle and become more quiet. But fo
far from anfwering this purpofe, it deftroys
many of them, and makes the reft fo defpe-
rate as not to be hived without great dan-
ger. And even when this is accomplished,
they are fo irritated at fuch uncivil ufage,
that they frequently rife out of the hive, and
fly quite away. Whereas, let the bufinefs
be done with patience and circumfpedion,

they

Of Hiving Swarms. 123

they may be hived, however badly fituated,
without any of thefe inconveniences.

29 I. Swarms are often divided by fiich in-
judicious management; part of them return-
ino; home, while thofe that remain, bein^ fo
much diminilhed, form but a feeble Swarm,
and of little value.

292. It fometimes happens that a Swarm
divides while hovering in the Air, and fonie
fall to the ground. You muft examine m this.
cafe with great care, for if you find any, it is
very likely the young Qiieen is among them ;
if (lie is, place her upon the empty hive, and
take it as near as you can to the Bees fwarm-
ing : if only a few fee her, they will give
notice to all the reft, and prefently fettle upon
the hive, over this another may be placed,
into which they will afcend, without turther
trouble. But if the Queen be not found,
the Bees, though well hived, will not remain
but either fly quite away or go back to the
Mother Stock, or endeavour to gain admif-
fion into fome of the other Stocks, thereby
occafioning tumult and ilaughter.

293. It has been an ancient cuflcm to
make a tinking noife upon a pan, kettle, or
the like, when a Swarm riles, as being
thought conducive to make them fettle the
Ibcner, and prevent their ikying away. This
has been cbjecfled to as of no ufe. I once
thought fo, and thereby loft feveral Swarms.
Many times I have forebore tinkling until
they were almofl out of my premifcs ; but on
ilriklng up a ferenade upon a large watering

124 Of Hiving Swarms.

pot, they have always fettled; and I have
never loft a Swarm, fince I have ufed this
method, or had them fettle at any great
diftance.

294. I have known of feveral Swarms fly-
ing over large commons, that merely by the
tinkling of a key upon a fork, have been im-
mediately ftruck with attention, and their
flight beinjy ftopped, have fettled on the
ground very near the ruftic mufician.

295. Thereafon may be the fame, as that
which induces Bees to return precipitately
to their hives at the approach of a thunder
f!orm. Tinkling has the fame effedt, as far
at leaft as the found extends j the explofion
of fire-arms produces the fame, but in a
much fliorter fpace of time ; as it will caufe
them to fettle almoft inftantly ; and confe-
quently within due bounds, provided the ex-,
plufion he made on that lide to which the)?
are ftraying too far.

Not that the Bees are fond of mufic as
f :)me fondly imagine, for my Bees have often
had variety of that near their hives, without
taking the leafi: notice of it. '

296. As the practice of tinkling has been
of a very long ftanding, and is no ways hurt-
ful, I fee no good reafon for its difufe ; be-
fides, it is ablblutely neceflary in another
point of view, viz. to afcertain your property,
which otherwife might be difputed, if the
Swarm tliould fettle in another perfon's pre-
mifes. For the tinkling fccures a legal right
to follow your Swarm upon another perfon's

grounds

Of Khlng Swarms; 125

grounds in order to hive them j making good
any damage you do thereby.

297. Particular care muft be taken, not
to begin tinkling until the Swarm is all out,
left you intimidate the others, and prevent
their riiing.

298. If notwithftandlng your noife, they
feem not difpofed to fettle, or they fly too
high, throwing up fand or duft among them,
will caufe them to keep within bounds, and
the fooner delcend. As foon as ever they
begin to fettle, immediately ceafe all noife,
that thofe on the wing may hear the founds
of thofe that are fixing, and be allured to
join them.

Whiftling or any other noife is then highly
improper ; for the more filence, the fooner
they duller. For when once a part is fixed,
there is no danger of the refi: not follow-
ing.

299. Before Swarms are put into one of
my hives the barred top fhould have a
hole made at each end of the middle bar, to
admit a four-penny brad, long flender nail,43r
peg, to pafs through into the edge of th^
hive, in order to keep it firm in its place ;
the ftraw top muft be faftened on ; this is
bed: done by making four loops with a ftrong
pack-thread, drawn through the hive, near
the top edge, at equal diftances, and long
enough to meet at top within three ©r four
inches, and drawn together by c other piece of
pack-thread, and faftencd by a knot upon the

top.

126 Of Hiving Swarms.

top. If a box be ufed, the top muft b6
fere wed on.

300. If a Swarm or Caft is rifing from a
Stock, contrary to your wifli, immediately
with a handkerchief, or the like, flop the
door-way for fome time ; this will baulk
and perhaps deter them from fwarming
afterwards. But if the young Queen rofe
with the few that firft iifued, thefe will
not return again.

301. When a Swarm is upon the wing>
have an eye to your other Stocks, and if any
are preparing to rife, ftop them, until the
Swarm is fettled. Then, if another rifes,
and attempts to unite with the firft ^ cover
thefe immediately with a clcth, until the
other is alfo fixed ; and fo for any others.
For if double Swarms be hived together;
there will be a terrible flaughter, until one
of the Queens be killed ; or fometimes the
whole Swarm will quit the hive, and fly
quite away.

302. Although Svs'arms will often rife at
the very inilant when the greateil bufinefs is
carrying on ; yet, wlien it is a favourable
day, and they are obierved not to work, and
but little nolfj in the hive, a Swarm will
furely take wing in an hour or two after-
wards. Sometimes, alio, there is a fudden
throng of Bees at the entrance, making loud
alarms, as though going to fwarm, when it
is only the exipreflion of joy for the appear-
ance of a large delivery of young at once.

303. If

Of Hiving Swarms. 127

303. If a Swarm rifes and returns back
again to the Stock, and you perceive them
before many are got into the hive, im-
mediately take the old Stock away, and
fet an empty hive in its place j by this ma-
na'uvre, the Swarm will be deceived, and
fettle quietly therein. It fliould then be
placed at the moft diflant part of the Apiary,
and the Mother Stock fet in its own place
again. But if the Swarm (hould be tumultu-
ous and uneafy after it is in, fet the old
Stock clofe to them, and they will foon be
re- united to them again. For in this cafe,
it is plain, they either had no Queen with
them, or had loft her in their flight. Thouo^h
there are other caulcs of a Swarm's return-
ing, as too much wind, clouds portending
ing florms of thunder and /liowers.

304. The form in which a Swarm hangs
from a bough, is that of an inverted cone,
big at the top, and tapering to the bottom ;
the point being only a lingle Bee ; they ad-
here together in this manner, by hooking
themfeives to each other by their feet. But
at other times, when the plant or tree will
not admit of their being thus fufpended ;
they fpread round the body of a tree or
branch, (fig. 5.) or upon a hedge, bufh,
flirub, 6lc. in a variety of diredions, often
very inconvenient for hiving.

305. Low trees near an Apiary are very
ufcful, for they attradl the Swarms to fettle
on them, which are thereby more eafjly
hived.

For

tzS Of Hiving Swarms.

For Swarms will fometimes iix of theii*
own accord near the Apiary, though no no-
tice had been taken of their riiing. But fuch
inftances are too precarious to be trufted to;
and they will much oftener fly away with-
out cluftering at all. A branch of a tree, or
a hive, fixed upon a long pole, and lifted
up among a Swarm, when in the air, has
inticed them to fettle thereon.

306. No time fliould be loft to hive them
as foon as cluflered ; for the longer they hang^
the more irritable they become, and the more
unwilling they will be to htve. For when
once fixed, they fend out fcouts to bring
tidings of a proper habitation, and no fooner
do thefe return, and touch the clufter, but
there is a general (hake of the wings -, after
this, they prefently unknit and depart, unlefs
they be immediately hived, and then it is a
chance if they will flay.

307. A large cloth or apron, and a hive
floor or other board will be ufeful in the
hiving ; fpread the cloth upon the ground as
nearly under the clufter as poffible^ on that,
place the floor, and a ftick about an inch
thick laid acrofs ; fo that when the hive is
placed thereon, there may be ample room
for the ftruggling multitude to enter the
more freely and fooner in.

308. Or a Swarm may be ftiook off a
branch or fl:iiub, into a cloth, properly held
under by an afliftant, and the cloth with
th« Bees therein, immediately laid on the
ground, then placing a hive over the Bees,

fupporting

Of Hiving Swarms. 129

fupporting one ^dgQ, a little raiTed, by a
flone, or Ibmething convenient, fo that no
Bees be cru/hed, and they will foon afcend
up into the hive without any further opera-
tion, but that of fcreening them from the rays
of the Sun.

309. If a Swarm hangs to a bough, or
any thing that will admit of the hives Aiding
under them, firft cut off, in the moft gentle
manner, any twigs that may be in the way ;
then with your left hand prefs the inverted
hive upwards, to inclofe as much of the
clufter as pollible, without difturbing the
Bees, until with your right hand you give
the bough a fudden and fmart (hake ; this
will caufe mofl of the clufler to fall into the
hive ; among whom, in general, will be the
Queen. Keep the hive in your arm as it
is, until you have got to the board or cloth ;
(307) then gently turn it upfide down ; one
edge upon the board, and the other upon
the flick that lays acrofs ; any Bees that have
tumbled out, as well as thole on the wing,
hearing the buz in the hive, will foon joia
them. With a few twigs, dillurb thofe that
attempt to fettle again, and they will foon
defill. But ufe no nettles, or water, which
ferves only to inrage and injure the Bees.

310. Cover the hive with a cloth, boughs,
or any thing proper to keep off the too pierc-
ing rays of the Sun; for otherwife the Bees
finding their new habitation too hot, will
be v/ife enoueh to quit it,

K 311. If

I ^6 0/* Htvmg S w A R l<! s .

311. If it fhould happen to be m6fc con* .
venient to hold a cloth or large apronunder
the Bees, than a hive to fhake them into^
let the foi'mer method be taken, and gather-
ing up the cloth by the corners, very gently
and tenderly bring it down, and manage as
dire(5tod (307). To avoid repetitions ; either a
cloth or hive may be ufed, as fliall appear
Inoft convenient, in any of the operations
hereafter diredcd. Let the hive remain
in this ftate until the evening, and then
(taking aw^ay the ftick) remove it to its
appointed place. If taken away before, the
ftragglers will be loft.

But if it happens to be in a place incon-
venient or improper to leave the Swarirt
in until night, as foon as ever the Bees arc
ivholly got in, or nearly fo, it muft be
covered with a cloth, and taken to its def-
tined place at once : the ftragglers that are
left will return to the mother Stock,

312. It will alfo be proper to adopt this
method when a Swarm is fo very large as
to impoverifh the Stock; for by taking the
hive away, as foon as a fufficient number
are got in, the reft (fometimes a great
number) will return to their former abode.

'^ I 3. Should a Swarm fettle fo untoward-
ly, t!^at a hive cannot be conveniently held
under ihem, a light bafket will snfwer the
purpofe as well : the Bees being fhaken into
the baflcet, fet it upon its bottom on the
ground,^^ then a hive being placed over it,

they

Of Hlvujg Swarms. 131

they will quit the bafket, and fix in the
hive.

314. Swarms often clufl:er in trees much-
too high to be come at without the affiftance
of a ladder, fteps, table, or the like, and
fometimes at the extremity of a fmall bough,
at too great a dilliance to be reached with
the hive in your hand. In this cafe, after
placing the hive in readinefs under the tree;
and having prepared a fharp knife, and a
faw, afcend the ladder, and gently cut away
all the fmall twigs and branches that fur-
round the clufter, and examine if the
bough on which it hangs can be cut through
with a knife, as this will difturb the Bees
much lefs than the adion of a faw. Keep
the branch fteady with one hand while you
fever it with the other, or rather it (hould
be held by an alTiftant, and as foon as cut
through, be brought gently down, taking
great care that the Bees be not touched by any
of the other branches. Then lay the bough
\vith the Bees on it, very gently on the cloth
or board, and fet the hive over it. Before
the evening the Bees will be fixed to the
top of the hive, having quitted the bough,
which may now be taken away, and the
hive put in its intended place.

315. But fhould it be impradicable, or
hurtful to a tree, to cut off a branch, a
bafket or hive may be tied bottom upwards
upon a long fork, rake, or pole, and held
under the Swarm while another pcrfon fhakes
the branch, either with his hands or fome

K 2 other

1^2 Of Hiving Swarms.

other inflrument, fo as to get as many aS
poffible into the hive or bafket ; after which,
the remainder are to be diflodged by a long
ftick, with fmall twigs tied to the end. Or
they may be diflodged by twigs tied to the
end of a long pole, until they fettle more
conveniently to be hived. At the iame
time the proper mufic, and fire arms, charged
with powder only, mull: be in readinefs,
left the Swarm take wing again, and now
affronted with your treatment fly quite
away.

It will be highly neceffary in thcfe trou-
blefome operations to defend your face and
hands. (73, 76.)

(316. Another very difficult cafe is, whea
they fettle at a great height, round a branch
of a tree not flexible enough to be fhaken 5
the moft eafy method of hiving them is,
to fet a hive upon a board or floor, whereon
are two pieces of flicks to raife the front
edge of the hive about an inch, take this
up a ladder (placed as clofe to the Bees
as pofTjble) and reft the board or its edge
on the branch, as near the Bees as can be
without hurting them. Then fufpend or
faften the hive with cords to the other
branches of the tree, or ladder, in the fafeft
and beft manner that circumftances will
allow of. This done, with a fpoon, gently
take fome of the Bees from the clufter, and
turn them out of the fpoon at the door-way
of the hive, this repeat feveral times, and
they will crawl into the hive. This me-
thod

Of Hiving Swarms. 133

tliod may be continued as long as the other
Bees (liwW no great refentment, or until you
have got about a quart into the hive. Leave
them a little while; the noife of thofe in
the hive will incite the others to march
therein alio, and in about an hour the
whole Swarm will have entered. But if
inftead of this, they feem not difpofed to quit
the branch, take more of them, away by the
fpoon, at intervals, until the others begin
to run into the hives themfclves.

By patiently proceeding thus, there is far
lefs danger, damage, and trouble, than by
thofe irritating and violent means gene-
rally employed in thefe cafes.

317, When Swarms hang too low to ad-
mit the pafiing a hive underneath, a cloth may
be drawn under them, and a flick laid
thereon 3 then fliake the Bees down, and
gradually withdraw the cloth far enough
to allow the placing the hive over it. If
there be any Bees already on the ground,
they will foon hear the noife of the multi-
tude, and join them. If not, the hive fhould
be placed near them j or with a brulli or
wing, move the Bees nearer the hives,
as ihall appear moft convenient.

318. When they fettle in a hedge, fix
a hive over them, either upon forked llicks,
or any other contrivance. But firli fprinkle
the infide top of the hive with ale and fugar ;
but only at the top, becaufe it is to that
part we want to entice them. Wait fome
time, and if this fhould not fucceed, intro-

K 3 dure

134- ^f ^'^"'^''^'^Z S VV A R M S o

duce a hive underneath them, as far as
poflihle, cutting away fuch fprigs and bran-
ches as may obftrudl its pallage ^ then Hiak-
ing the bufli or hedge, caule as many as
pofiible to fall into the hive, and continue
fo to do until they are wearied of return-
ing to the hedge, or have gradually joined
thofe m the hive, which they will do by
this management in a little time. Lay two
{licks acrofs the hive, and fet another over
it, and by night thofe that are upon the
ground, and on the outfide of the hive, will
be all gone in, and colleded with the reft
now afcended in the upper hive, provided
the Queen be among them, otherwife fhe
mufl: be looked for among thole upon the
ground or about the hive.

319. Should theyclufter round the body,
or leading branches of a tree, apply the edge
of the hive clofe to the bodv, a little below
the fprcad of the Bees, and where there
is the greateft bunch or clufter^ g^i^t^y prefs
the hive upwards, and with a fmall ftick,
force down as many Bees as you can into
the hive, but be fure not to hurt any
of them : then removinjr the hive to other
■parts that have the iargeH: clufters, do the
fame there; it is very probable the Queen
will be among fome of thefe. The hive
muft now be placed as near as poffible to
the tree, and the w-ii of the Bees will joia
their fellows, provided they are fo diflurbed
as to prevent their fettling about the tree
?|gain. As this is a very diiiicuit cafe, the

Pee§

Of Hiving Swarms. 135

pees will be unavoidably irritated, and there-
fore the face and hands fliould be properly
fecured.

Though thefe methods will undoubtedly
fucceed, yet I have found the following
inuch eafier and lafer, when ^he fituation is
not too high.

320. Firll, procure a fufficiect number of
tables, ftools, or caflcs, that they may be fet
on each other io as to be of equal height
with the cluder of Bees, or two ladders mult
be fo placed as to admit a board from one
to the other, fufficient to hpjd a bee-hive.
This being done, hold the hive bottom up-
wards, and with a fpoon gently take up as
many as you can at a time, from the largeil
clufler, and put them carefully into the hive,
until there be a quart or more, if the Bees
will let you do it patiently 1 th^n turn the
hive upon its bottom on the board or floor,
already prepared ; the edge of the hives next
the tree muft be kept a Tittle raifed, for the
eafier admiiTion of the concourfe of Bees that
yet remain on the tree. When cafks or
tables are ufed, the ftage formed by them
with the hive upon it, is to be gently moved
towards the tree, fothat the edge of the hive-
floor may touch the Bees ; but if this {hould
be inconvenient, a thin piece of board may
be laid from the hive to the tree, as a bridge
for the Bees to pafs over 5 for the noife of
thofe in the hive, will attradl the notice of
fuch as are on the tree, and you will prefently
fee them begin to dillodge and pafs the bridge
K 4. ta

^3^ ^f "^^"^^ng S w A RMS.

to their companions. This will be the
fooner effedied, if you gently ftroke down
thofe neareft the hive with a flick, or rather
take from the largeft clufler fpoonfuls at a
time, and put them upon the bridge near the
entrance of the hive j tor they will then go
diredtly in, and when the greater number have
entered, there is no danger but the reft will
follov/.

321. The ufual way of brushing Bees in*
to a hive enrages them mod highly j this,
however, is not all the mifchief, for many are
killed in the operation, and fometimes the
Queen herfelf j in which cafe, the Swarm,
even after having been hived, will fly away :
nor will the Apiator himfelf be fafe, unlefs
very well defended. All thefe inconvenien-
cies are avoided by the gentle method juft
recommended j and to a lover of Bees, is as
agreeable an amufcment as hunting or angling
to others : I perform it without even a pair of
gloves, unlets in a bad day.

322. Authors direc!!-, as a general rul<j,
that Swarms (hould alwnys remain near the
place where they fettled, until the evening, as
otherwife thofe Bees that have not fettled and
are hovering about, not knowing where their
companions are placed, will return to the
old Stock, and will be treated with the
fame feverity as Grangers. In the many ob-
fervations I have made, I can ailert, that fuch
confequence never followed, but that they
were received as kindly as though they had
never parted,

^23. Wheu

Of Hiving Swarms.' 137

3 23. When Bees fettle in a hollow on the fide
of a tree or ftub, clap the bottom of the hive
fo clofe againft it, that not a Bee can efcapc :
let an aHiftant hold it fafl:, and alfo tie a
cloth round the edge, or with clay or the
like flop every opening : being thus well fe-
cured, with a hammer or great flone, beat
round about the hollow, making the greateft
noife you can, which in a fhort time will fo
terrify the Bees, that for peace fake they will
be induced to enter the hive : now and then
ceafe the noife, and applying your ear to the
hive, you will know by the buz when the
greater part are in : you may then fet the
hivp down, and difturb thofe that remain in
the hole with fmall twigs, which at length
will fo wearv them, as to make them enter
the hive. Then flop the hole with weeds, or
any thing at hand, and your work is done.

324. Swarms will frequently make a hol-
low tree their habitation. To diflodge them
-.%>ake a large hole with a chilTel, hatchet, or
.'othe^r fuitable inftrument, as near as poffible to
the upper part of the hollow -, for, if there be
room enough, they will lie always above the
hole they go in at : place the edge of the hive
clofe to the hole, and forceably flriking about
that part of the tree where the Bees are,
give them as much difturbance as poflible ;
alarmed and terrified at the flrokes, they
will prefently ilfue out through the hole, and
very likely fettle in the hive; but if not, on
the branches of tlie tree, or on fome other
place, that may be convenient for hiving

them

ijS Of Hiving Swarms.

them. After being hived, they {hould ha
placed near the tree they came from, to re-
ceive the flragglers.

325. But if they lie below the hole, they en-
ter in at, make the opening beneath them ; and
take care that the upper hole, by which the
Bees are toiffue out, be the largeft:: fometiuies
however, all thefe methods prove inefFedual,
We mufl: then have recourfe to fumigation -,
this is done by placing old rags, damp ftraw,,
or any thing that will make much fmoke,
underneath the Bees, and fetting fire to it,
at the fame time difturbing them as much as
poffible by violently ftriking the tree 5 this
will generally caufe them to fly out and fettle
elfewhere.

326. The fame method mufl be purfued
if any Bees remain afterwards in the hollows,
or places of lodgment, to force them out ■„
and to prevent their retuf n, the holes fliould
be flopped with nettles or other weeds.

327. Should they fettle under the roof, or
in any vacancies of a houfe or other building,
a continued noife, beating, or drumming a-
gainft the part they are lodged in, will caufe
them to quit it; efpecially if the place of en-
trance be very much enlarged.

If this alarm fhould not fucceed, plenty
of fmpke may be conveyed to them by means
of a funnel, which will moil likely driv?
them out. But where fmoke cannot eafi;y be
introduced, water poured over them by a fun-
nel, or fquirted on them by a fyringe, will fo
affeft them that the ^ombs and Bees, may be

taken

Of Hiving Swarms. 139

taken away by the hands, which however
fhould be defended by gloves.

328. But in all thefe cafes it fhould be ob-
ferved, that the longer they have been fettled,
the greater will be the dil^iculty of diflodging
them, efpecially if they have been feme days,
and have made combs ; for they will then
die, rather than relinquifh them,

329. Therefore, where none of thefe ope-
rations take effedl, the only v^-ay left (except
that of dellroying the Bees by the fumes of
brimflcne) is, for the Apiator to be armed
cap-a-pee (73). He may then boldly break
an opening into the building or wall, fuffi-
cient to put in his arm, and to take the
combs away one by one ; then having an
empty hive or tic-o ready, with feveral fiicks
half an inch thick, place the combs in the
hives, and between every two combs put two
pieces of flicks to keep them at a proper
dillance, fo as not to crufh the Bees that
may be hanging upon them. If there be a
comb contaming young, it (hould be placed
in the middle. Then letting the hive as near
as poffible to the place of lodgment, the other
Bees will be enticed to quit their qld refi-
dence, and quietly enter this new habitation.
If the next day they work kindly, all is well :
otherwife drive the Bees out (372J and take
away the combs and honey, efpecially if it
be at the latter end of the feafon.

330. When Swarms come into a room, as
foon as they are all nearly in, clofe the win-
flows ar-d doorSj that none may efcape ; let

tliem

r40 Of Hrcing Swarms.

them remain until they have cluftered, then
cover them with the hive, and gently draw
it along the wall or ceiling, to difengage
them from it ; afterwards take the hive, bot-
tom upw^ards from the cieling, and fet it up-
on its bottom on the floor, with one edge a
little raifed up by a ftick. Before night the
refl; of the Bees will go down and join their
companions : they will do this the fooner if
the room be fo darkened that they may think
night is coming on.

331. When draggling Bees come into a
room, if the upper fafli be pulled down, they
will prefently go out again ; but where windows
are not fo conftruded, the Bees fhould be
gently brufhed dovv^n to that part which does
open, or otherwife they will beat themfelves to
death againft the glafs, as they always afcend
to the upper part, where the greateft light is.

332. In many buildings, as well as in hol-
low trees, there have been lodgements of
Bees for a long fucceffion of years, without
eitlier hurt or proht to the owners. Swarms
fifing from thefe might be watched and
hived as other Swarms are; and were a hive
with honey-combs in it, efpccially with a
brood comb, fet m fwarming-time over the
opening or paffage, by which they enter, it
would be a means of enticing a Swarm to
fettle there. A hive, fo prepared, and placed
near them, w^ill have the fame eftedt.

333. Stray Swarms are frequently feen in
their flight over fields and commons : thefe
may be enticed to fettle, by tinkling with a

key

Of Hiving Swarms. 141

key upon a fork, by whiflling, or by any other
iimilar noife.

In fuch cafes it will fometlmes be a long
while before a hive can be procured, and in
the interim the Bees may reaflume their flight :
to prevent which, as foon as they are fettled,
throw your handkerchief over them, and tic
it by the corners fo as to inclofe tliem ; then
cut off that part of the bough or fprig, to
which they hang, with as little diilurbance as
poffible, and you may carry them in this
manner feveral miles with great eafe and
fafety. But fhould they fettle on the ground,
fpread your handkerchief, clofe by them, and
with a whifp of grafs or a fmall twig gently
fliove them upon the handkerchief; or if your
hat be laid over them, it is likely they will
afcend therein.

When you have procured a hive, and have
laid the branch acrofs a pail or pan, and two
other flicks acrofs, untie the handkerchief,
and fet the hive over the bough, refiing upon
the crofs (ticks ; let it ftand until night, and
all the Bees will have entered into the hive:
but if you have them in a handkerchief, with-
out any branch, lay the handkerchief on the
ground, untie it, and place the hive over it -,
the Bees will foon afcend therein.

334. There have been many inflances of a
Swarm fettling upon a perfon's head (67).
In this cafe, if any reliftance be made, it may
be attended with fatal conlequences ; but if
you remain quiet and paflive, without giving
the Bees any affront or difturbance, not one
will offer to Ifing you.

^^c. As.

»1 w/ ^ ■

t/\.z Of HIvmg Swarms.

335. As foon as you perceive a Swarm dif-
pofed to fettle on you, take off your hat, and
carefully cover your head and face with your
handkerchief J but if this cannot be done, place
your hands hollow over your mouth, nofe, and
eyes, and then fufFer them to fettle upon you
quietly, calling at the fame time for alliftance :
or you may leifurely walk with the Bees upon
your head, with as much fafety and confidence
as Mr. Wildman himfeif, until you meet fome
one to affift you : let him take a prepared
hive, and hold it over your head, and the
Bees will very likely foon begin to afcend
therein ; as foon as this is perceived the
hive muft be held a little higher, the better
to withdraw the Bees from the head -, this
will be fooner effeded if you go into a room
confiderably darkened. But fhould this me-
thod not fucceed, the Bees may be taken off
by a fpoonful at a time, and put into the hive,
until the greater part be taken off ^ then hold-
ing the edge of the hive fo as to touch thofe
that remain, they will foon crawl to thofe in
the hive : or, by giving your head a violent and
fudden fliakc over a hive or table, the greater
part will fall off, probably the Queen, then
walking to fome diftance, thofe that remain,
miffmg the Queen, will foon diflodge in
fearch of her -, but, if inftead of this, they
remain quiet, and the other Bees return to
fettle on you, it is a fign you have flill the
Queen about you ; whom, however, at the
next effort, you will probably {hake off^ the

few

Of Hivhig SwArms. 143

few then remaining^ may eafily be taken off
by a fpoon. Sometimes alfo a great finoke
made behind a perfon, fo as to blew over
him, will readily diflodge them.

336. Should a Swarm attempt to fix up-
on or enter another Stock, cover the hive im-
mediately with a cloth, and (hut the door-
way until they be fettled and quiet -, then fet
a hive over them, and in about a quarter of
an hour open the Stock door-way, and by
the four corners of the cloth lift th^ hive up
^nd carry it to the place defigned for it.
Early the next morning the hive may be taken
up, and the cloth removed; but if they have
already made a lodgment upon the hive, ftop
up the door-way, and hold an empty hive,
over the greateft clufter, and perhaps they
will afcend -, if not, take a fpoon, and gently
put a quart or jwo of the Bees mto the empty
hive, then fet it over the reft, and they will
follow ', as foon as they appear to do fo, open
the Stock door-way. The Swarm fhould be
taken away as foon as they have done afcending.

337. When two Swarms rife together and
fight, the throwing of duft or fand among
them will generally appeafe the flrife, and fe-
parate them; or, they may be terrified into
the ceffation of hostilities by the explofion of
a fowling-piece.

338. Should a Swarm fix very near the
fpot where another had been hived a day or
two before, it will be ntcQ^J^vy to place it
four or five yards diftance, or elfe many of
the firil hived Swarm returning to their

alighting

144 ^f ^^"^^^^S S W A R M sJ

alighting place, will repair to the new com-
ers, and be killed. If a Swarm be too fmall,
the next that rifes, if not large, fliould by
all means be added to it, which will make
it a very good Stock.

339. It often happens, that two or three
PrincefTes go out with a Swarm, and fettle in io
many cluRers : when one clufter is very large,
and the others fmall, hive them all feparate «
ly; at dufk fpread a cloth upon the ground,
with a flick acrofs, take the hives with the
fmaller clufters, beat the Bees out upon th»
cloth, and thenfet the hive with the large cluf-
erin it over them ; about two hours after this,
lift them, cloth and all, upon a proper fland,
and before morning they will be united with
little or no flaughter ; efpecially, if the fmall
clufters have been fprinkled over with ale and
fugar : let them remain in this fitu-ation until
next night, when the cloth may be taken a-
way. Another method is, about an hour
after the fmall clufters are hived, to beat
them out upon a cloth, and take the Prin-
cefles from them (384), and immediately to
fet the hive with the large clufter over them ;
or they may be firft ftupified (389), and then
their PrincefTes taken from them j this will
produce a firm union without any contention.

340. But it is not always that the Swarm
feparates, although accompanied with two or
more young Queens, but will all fettle to-
gether : however, as foon as they are hived
great commotions and much flaughter will
enfue before the Bees can decide which

Princeis,

Of Hroing Swarms. 145

Princcfs fliall reign. If the competition be
nearly equal, and vid:ory long in fufberfr.e, ail
the Bees will anit the hive, in orJcr to decide
it n^ore coinmodioufly in the open air : they
will then either unite or feparate ir.to diitindt
Swarms: in this laft cale to rc-hive them all
together, will be of no ufe, but may occaiiou
the dcllrudtian of the whole : they muft
therefore be hived feparateiy, and treated as
Cafls (366). But if they continue fighting
in the hive until the next morning, it Vv'ill be
better perhaps to ftrike them all out of it ;
and they will then either feparate or return to
the mother Stock.

341. In thefe cafes open hives have a great
advantage; for by fetting another hive over
them, and leaving the door-ways open, the
Bees will feparate without quarrelling. The
next night flop the upper entrance, and the
Queen that has the fewell partifans will be
expelled without much ll:rife.

342. It does not alv/ays happen that they
quarrel diredlly, though there be two Prin-
cefies ; for fometimes the/ continue undeter-
mined in their choice, two or three days ;
but all this while they will be very refllefs
and confufed,, nor attem,pt to work, until onq.
be depofed and expelled, or flain.

343. All Swarms, if the weather be fair,
will begin to work almoft as foon as hived ;
but if the firft day be foul, fo as to prevent
their going abroad, it difcourages them fo
much, that on the iccowA, though fine, they
will fcarcely look out ; but when the tliird

L day

( 146 )

day proves unfair it fometimes makes them
fo fulky as to choofe rather to die than to
feek. for food.

344. Butler fays they will live five or fix
days without honey, and when nearly ftarved
they ftring down, hanging by each others
legs like ropes : this is a certain fign of ap-
proaching death, if not directly relieved (733).

345. When all the Swarms are gone, if any
young Princefiies be left, they are generally
killed two or three days after, and''may be
found dead about the hives ; though they are
fometimes refpited until the execution of the
Drones.

CHAPTER XII.

Cy Swarming Bees Artificially. Of
CatchIxNG the. Queen ; and Method of
Ux^iTiNG Swarms a?:d Stocks.

346. "T T has been already noticed of what
j1_ great importance the Queen is to
the ftrength, fupport, and perpetuity of every
Stock or Swann of Bees. A truth the an-
tients were in feme degree acquainted wifh;
but they fuppofcd the principal Bee to be

347. Xeno-

Artificial Swarming. 1 47

347. Xenophon, * who flourldied about
2000 years ago, feems the moft ancient
writer who has taken notice of this peculia-
rity. His words are very remarkable: ** There
^* is one particular Bee in every Swarm (or
Stock) a leadtr of the refl, as one they will-
ingly obey I where that remains, not one will
the?2ce depart j that removed, not one will
^ay behind, fo fl-rong is the affe(ftion they are
infpired with tp.be governed by //."

He feems doubtful of the gender, by cha-
raflerizing it in the neuter.

348. The immortal Virgil fweetly fang on
this delightful fubjeft above 1700 years fince,
But with refpeft to any method of taming the
Bees, or captivating the Qiieen, Virgil him-
felf is filent. Columella, however, feems to
huve been acquanted with the fecret, by di-
redting one of the Queens to be killed in the
union of Cafls.

349. But the firft account of captivating
the Queen at will, is given us by father La-
bat ; -f- who mentions, that he met with a man.
who feemed covered over with Bees, his cap
particularly was fo covered as to refemble thofe
natural Swarms that fettle on a tree : he was
ordered to take 't off; the Bees then placed
themfelves on his (boulder, his head, and his
hands, without flinging him or any of the
bye-flanders.

L 2 350. In.

• Cyropedla.

t Labat's Travels.

T 4.8 Artificial Swarming.

350. In like manner Swammerdam fccur-
ed the Mother Bee of a Swarm, by tying a
fmall bit of thread to one of her legs, and
then faflening it to a long pole, the whole
Swarm immediately alTembled round the end
of the pole, to cover the Mother Bee, and
might be carried wherever the bearer pleafed.
Here we have the method of fixing Swarms ;
but from neither of thefe gentleman can we
learn how to obtain the Queen.

•551. Sir George Wheeler "^ indeed, lets us
into the fecret, as told him by a Spanifh prieft,
who faid, he had caught the Queen v/ith a
jiy~catchy and then cutting her wings, had
obliged her to remain at home j but it may
be doubted whether this be not a genteel eva-
fion rather than an explanation : a. hive can-
not be turned up, and a fly-catch thruft there-
in to intangle the Queen. And to watch her
going out, which is very feldom, or her re-
turn, requires more than the leifure and pa-
tience even of a priefl,

252. It is furprifing that Butler, who knew
how to llupify the Bees with punk or mully
puff, fhould not proceed one Jflep further, and
make ufe of it, in order to take the Quden,
and manage the Bees at vvill: and it is flill more
furpriiing, that the fagacious Reaumur, whoap-
pears to have read Butler, (liould not have taken
the hint of the narcotic fume ; but was
conftrained to immerge the Bees in water, to

obtain

* Wheeler's Journey into Greece. '

Artificial S W A H M I N G ." T 49

obtain the Queen. The Rev. Mr. Thorl^y,*
profited by the hint of Butler, and made ufe
of it for the union of Stocks.

353. But Dr. Warder, § fo long ago as
171 2, gives a particular detail of a me-
thod of performing this feemingly myfte-
rious bufinefs with eafeand pleafure, and with-
out fumigation or immerfion, as to Swarms
or Cafts. Here he flopped. For the infor-
mation how to catch the Queen of a Stock
we are obliged to the ingenuity of Mr. Tho-
mas Wildman.

354. This gentleman's extraordinary per-
formance with Bees, attracted the notice of
the curious few, as well as of the public;
but however advantageous they may have
been to himfclf, I fear they will be found
of little utility to the world. Expe(5lations
were railed very high, and the moft fanguine
hopes conceived of the great increafe of pro-
fit likely to arife from his mode of manage-
ment.

355. Nor indeed fhould wc have been difap-
pointed, had the method o^ Artificial Swarm^
ing, v/hich he defcribes page (133), % fallow-
ing for a few alterations) been found as prac-
ticable as it was expedted to be. His words
are, " If an old hive is fo full of Bees, that
" they reft in the night under the board, and

L 3 ** fhe.v

* Thorley's Enquiry. Src.
§ The True Amazons.

fl Mana;^ement of Bees, 2d Edition,

150 Artificial SwarminO.

«* fhew no difpofition to fwarm, * turn th^
** hive bottom up, give it fome flight ftrokeS
** on the fides, lb as to alarm the Bees ; they
** will immediately run to the extremities
*' of their combs : if you look attentively to
'* the middle of the hive, you will there
•^ perceive the Queen among the foremofl:,"f':
** feize her between the fore-finger and
** thumb, and confine her in your hand
** until moff part of the Bees take wing J;
'* let her then go, § the Bees will foon join
** her, and fettle on fome branch of a
** tree. Put them into an empty hive ; put
'' the old Stock in its place, || that the Bees
** which had been out in the 'fields might
*' enter in at their return ; and having re-
*' mained an hour or fo, it is then put on an-
*' other fland near, or next their own : the
" hive having now what may be called a
** Swarm in it, is then to be placed on the
" fland of the old Stock, and if the Bees in
** both work regularly, carrying loads, all is
** well. This backwardnefs to fwarm may

*« be

* This may be the cafe, and yet not be In a proper
condition to fwarm for two or three weeks after, for want
of Drones or a Princefs.

f I never found it fo.

X Sorric may, but the main body will remain even
though no young Queen be left in the hive.

§ Rather cut her vyings^ and fix her on fomcthing in
fight of the Swarm, and wiiich fhall be at the fame time
moft convenient for hiving them.

II Rather at the fartheil part of the Apiary or there
will be abunJanc; of miitak:e:> and Quarrels.

Artificial SwARyii^G. 151

** be owing to their want of a Queen to lead
** them forth ; and the old Queen is loth to
** go until a young one is bred ',^ yet if a royal
" cell contains a young Queen, the Bees in
** both hives will thrive j as thofe in an old
*' Stock will go on in expectation of the
** young Queen's coming forth."

356. "This feparation fliould not m pru-
" dc?2ce be attempted, unlefs you have a
" Queen in referve i-f- for if the Bees in the
" old Stock, when placed on their ftand are
*' in an uproar, there is no Queen, nor prof-
'' pei5l of a Queen among them ; and in this
'* cafe their own Queen Ihould be reflored to
*• them, and the referved Queen be put to
** the Swarm ; or the Bees in the emotv
*' hive, which (hould then be carried to the
" diftance of half a mile, J and remain there
*' for a few days, until they have made fome
•' works, and may then be brought back to
** their former flation.

** Care iTiould be taken that the number of
** Bees feparated from the old Stock, be fuffi-
* ient in number to make a Swarm -, on this
" account it h perhaps better to ufe the fol-
** lowing method. § A fuliicient number of
L 4 Bees

* Confequently this operation will be labour loft.

t Ave ! but Mr. Wildman has not inform:;fi us where
or how to obtain this fparc Qiicen. 1 doubt we may ruin
Ibme other Stocks in obtaining one.

X This muft certainly be very inconvenient, trouble-
fome, and hazardous.

§ There is no occafion for perha^i ; for mof: furely it
cannot be dene by the former.

(C

152 Artificial S w /.. R M I N G .

Bees (hould be taken out of the Stock, Irt
the manner that fhall be hereafter direded,.
and put in an empty hive,* The eye will
here judge of their numbers, when one
half, or a fufficient number, is got into
** the empty hive, it fliould be carried to
** fome diflance. The filence in either hive
** will foon indicate where the Queen is.
** It would be eligible that their own Queen
** remained in the old Stock ; but if Ihe
does not, the refcrved Queen may be put
to them, and they Hiould he immediately
** reftored to their former Hand, and the
** Bees or Swarm taken off, be carried to
*' half a mile, as before."

357. I have only made a few curfory remarks,
by way of annotations, as the principle upon
which the whole is founded, is repugnant to
the experiments I have repeatedly made, on
purpofe to afcertain its validity. Not that
there can be any doubt, however, but that
Mr. Wildman, among the multitude of hives
he had turned up in his peregrinations,
may have had an opportunity of fwarming
Bees in the manner defcribed. But as I have
often turned up hives, in order to feize the
Queen, not only by myfelf but in prefence of
gentlemen, fufficiently converfant with Bee-
Majefty ealily to diftinguifli her, without
ever obtaining by this means the defired prof-

pea.

* So that \\\\% folhwing meihod\% a method to be taught
us hereafter ; and which vvc lliall hereafter particuhirly
remark: upon.

Artificial Swarming. 153

peft. I cannot but conclude Mr. Wlldman to
t)e in an error. Bcfides, it is'generally known
that, on a hive being tapped, or any dillur-
bance made, the Queen always^ retires for le-
curity to the inmoft receffes of the hive,
leaving her numerous guard to defend the out-
works.

358. Therefore to clear this point up, a
public experiment is necefi^iry. Let Mr. Tho-
mas Wildman go in the proper feafon into
any judicious and pradtical Bee-Mafter's
Apiary, and in his prefence, and that of feve-
ral others, equally converfant with the fub-
jedt, take a Stock ot Bees up and make them
fwarm upon his plan. This' would, if fuc-
cefsful, decide the point greatly to Mr.
Wildman's honour.

359. 1 am particularly urgent upon this head,
becaufe the method, if pradticable, may be
eafily performed, and without giving much
diflurbance to the Bees, and would therefore
fave a very tedious attendance in Swarming-
time. Mr. Wildman alfo, in page 199, confi-
dently repeats the fame m.ethod of catching
the (^leen. Now if he can feize her majefty
fo eafily, why purfue that other more difficult
method of driving, which he is known to prac-
tice to obtain her ? But even this lavcurite ope-
ration cannot be performed without being well
armed : for every Apiator knows, and muft
have experienced, ohen to his fmart, that in
turning up a hive, the Bees, filled v/ith ire, and
armed with poifoned weapons, will attack him
by hundreds, and make it very hot v/ork, and

even

1 54 Artificial S w A R M i n G .

even dangerous to (land peeping after the
Queen. Of this circumftance Mr. Wildman
ought furely to have apprized his pupils.

360. However from this firft inflance it ap-
pears, that Mr. Wildman has no fecret powder
over the 5ees, to caufe them to come out of
their hives at the word of command, as many
people have erroneoufly imagined ; for at
page 198 he difclaims all pretenfions to any
luch power, and acknov^ledges the whole to
be a manual operation, fiinply that o^ driving
the Bees into an empty hive, and then catch-
ing the Queen.

361. But iiotwithfianding this declaration,
the truth obliges me to obferve, that he has led
the public into the above error, by exprefily
aflerting in his hand-bill (which I have itzxiy
and have by m.e) that " the fourth Swarm
" he will command out of the hive.'' As
this is fo repugnant to what he has given us
in his book, the pracflitioners in the art will
not be fatisfied unlets they have a direct
proof in this inflance, as in that before re-
cited 358).

362 His method of driving is much the
fame as has been practiced for more than two
centuries pall:. Builcr defcribes it, and be-
fore him Lavvibi), Markham, and others, as
well as a v;iriety of authors lince : therefore
not to Iwell tbefe pages unnecellarily, I fhal!
only give thofc methods which I have found
moit convenient and eligible, and in fuch a
manner that all the operations (hall follow each
oiher in proper order, and without interrup-
tion %

Artificial Swarming. 155

tion ; after which we fliall take the liberty of
maliing fuch ftritlures and obfervations as
we judge and hope may be of general utility.

363. But by way of introdu<5lion to the
reft, we fljall infert Dr. Warder's * account
of his captivating a Queen from a Swarm,
as containing many interefting and amuling
particulars.

364. He tells us, ** That to fitisfy his cu-
riolity, he was refolved to rifk the lofs of a
Swarm -, therefore about half an hour before
fun -rife he took a Swarm of Bees that had
been hived the morning before, to fome dif-
tance from the ftand, and ftriking pretty
ftrongly the edge of the hive upon the ground,
the Swarm fell out in a lump upon the grafs.
As foon as they were a little quiet, he ftirred
among them with a little flick, to find the
Queen ; at length he difcovered her, and
quickly taking her, he cut off her wings to
difable her from flying, and put her into a little
box with holes : the Bets left on the gXiS^
were foon fenfible of their lofs, fpread them-
lelves every way in fearch of their Queen,
with a piteous and difcontented note; in a-
bout an hour they rofe, and flew to the place
where they had pitched the day before,
and divided in little parties to look for
her along the hedge : he then laid the box
with the Queen in it near one of thefe little
companies, and they immediately began to

gather

♦ The True Amazons, 17 12.

J 56 Artificial SwarmiNgT

gather from all parts, and encompafs her all
round with joyful founds, well known to
thofe who are^ufed to Bees.

565. ** The experiment was often repeated,
placing the Queen fometimes on one fide, and
ibmetimes on the other ; by which means he
could march or counter-march them in any
dire<5tion he chofe. It is very remarkable
that though honey was offered the Queen
while prifoner in the box, fhe would tafte
none while deprived of her family ; nor did
the Bees (hew lefs affeflion for their Queen,
they never would leave her, though kept five
days and nights without food, at which period
they all died martyrs to their loyalty ; the
Queen furviving them but a few hours."

'To Unite t'wo or more Swarms or Carts.

366 AFTER having a fmall Swarm or
Caft, in two or three days or a week you
may have fome others, all of which are to
be hived feparately : about ten o'clock at night
fpread a cloth on the ground, near the firfl
Caft, and lay a hive floor on the cloth, with
a f^ick acrofs, then take the hive which hath
the fecond Caft, turn it up, fprinkle fome
fugar'd ale among the Bees, and then flrike
the edgfe of the hive with fome force on the
f^ick, which will probably caufe all the Bees
f;ill cut in a lump ; but if not, repeat the
flrokes until they do. The firfl Caft: muft:
be immediately fet over them, and in about
an hour thofe on the cloth will have crawled

up.

Artificial Swarming. 157

up, and become one family. If any hang
about the outfide of the hive, with a ftick
or feather ftrike them off very gently upon
the cloth, and when all are in, fet the hive
in its place : about five in the morning lift
up the hive, floor and all, and withdraw the
cloth, if there be any Bees on it, fpread it
over the hive, and the ifragglers will foon
enter therein : by crawling among each other
all night, they become familiar and recon-
ciled.

367. In the fame manner a third or fourth
may be added, until fufficiently numerous to
form a ftrong Stock for the next year -, but
this muft be done time enough for the Bees
to lay up a fufRcient (tore for the winter.

368. If this be done in the day-time, the
Bees of both Cafls or Swarms will immedi-
ately proceed to fighting, or fly away j but be-
ing done in the night, itcaufes very little com-
motion, and very few Bees, fometimes none,
are flain, except indeed the invading Queen,
who is generally difpatched or expelled be-
fore morning ; being often found on the
ground, furrounded by two or three hundred
of her faithful fubjeds, who will flarve them-
felves rather than abandon their beloved So-
vereign : a fad and forrowful fcene, to pre-
vent which (he mud: be taken from them by
a frnall flick, and then her fubject Bees being
placed near the entrance of the hive, will
prefently join the reft.

369. In hives or boxes that have open-
ings in the the tons, this operation may more

cafily

1 5'9 Artificial Swarming.

eafily be executed, by raifing the firfl: Caft
and fetting the fecond or any other fubfequent
ones, under it, let it remain double until the
next night, by which time they will be all
in the upper hive, then lift it gentlty up, and
take the under one away.

^70. To prevent any afFray, feme have
propofed to take away the Queen of the CafL
when the Bees are knocked out, according
to Dr. Warder's method, (364), and then to
kill her. This, no doubt will certainly pre-
vent flaughter -, but it is very troublefome,
and takes up more time than country people
can or will fpare from their other occupa-
tions 3 therefore, as the damage arifing
from the preceeding mode is but trifling, it
would feem preferable for common ufc; ef?
pecially if a little fugared ale is fprinkled over
them, before they are incorporated. Cafts
in the fame manner may be returned to the
mother Stock, to prevent their being too
much impoverifhed ; which caufes many to
fail before the next feafon. Thefe operations
need no other defence than a pair of gloves.

371. Happy for Sovereigns of the hu-
man race, that the people are frequently fa-
crificed for their good ; and the prince but
very feldom for the people's.

rt

Artificial Swarming. J59

51? Drive or Swarm Bees ArtifciaUy, nearly
upon Mr. VV I L D M A n's Second Plan:'^'

372. When a Stock feems very full of
Bees, and difcovers the ufual lymptoms of
being ready to fwarm ; efpecially if there ap-
pear many Drones, and thefe begin to lie out;
it will be neceflary to perform this operation :
therefore about the middle of a calm and hot
day (j/f fuch ojffers), remove the Stock upon
a cloth (laid ready upon the ground) and im-
mediately taking it up by the four corners,
carry it into fome out-houfe, or the like,
wherebut little light is admitted. Or it will
be more eligible to have a ftraw hive made on
purpofe in the form of a bafKet, viz. narrower
at bottom than at tup; it fliould be wide enouj^li
to ^dmit any common ftraw hive a little way
within it, as far as three rounds of the ftraw.
S^t this clofe to the Stock, and inflantly lift
up the Stock and fet it thereon ; no Bee can
then come out upon vou i and when taken
into the houfe, tlie v.hole may be turned
upfide dov/n, viz. the Stock atbottom, and the
empty hive upon it ; by thefe means the incon-
venience of many Bees flying out upon you
is prevented, which muft always be the cafe
when a cloch is ufed. But afar better metliod
than either of thefe m^ay be feen (382). But in
cither way the hives are to be fuoported by the

frame

* Management cf Eees, page 193.

1 6o Artificial S w A R m i n G .

frame of a chair, a bucket, or any other conve-
nient fupport ; and if a cloth is ufed, an empty
hivefhould then be ready, niflibly take the cloth
off, and place the empty hive on; if it does
not join clofe, tie the cloth fo fad round as to
prevent any Bees from efcaping : with one
hand fupport the hives fteady upon each other,,
while you keep flriking with the other hand
about three parts round the full hive (for the
partagainft which you Rc^nd mull: not beflruck^
from top to bottom as nimbly as poflible.

373. By this noife and diflurbance the
Bees will he affrighted, and begin to afcen^
into the upper hive, where there is more,
quiet. After beating a few minutes, put
your ear from time to time to the top of the
hive, and by the buz you will difcover when
any confiderable number isafcended up ^ until
this happens continue the beating ; fometimes
it will be half an hour, though generally only a
quarter before this be accompliflied. If the
Queen (hould happen to be foon difgufled Hie
will quickly rife, and the rell will prefently
follow with a great noife.

374. If notwithftanding this, they do not
rife, take a fmall flick in each hand, and beat
round the hive fmartly ; the Bees by this time
whether afcended or not, will be fufticiently
t«med, fo that you may raife the upper hive,
refling on its edge next you, a little to-
wards the light. If they be moftly got up,
take the hive intirely off; but if not, hold it
upon its edge between your fide and left arm,
and repeat the drumming againft the part

where

Artificial SwARMiNG. l6i

where they have chiefly cluflered (for the
method mufl be varied according as you fee
the Bees afteded) until you have got a fuf-
ficiency to form a good Swarm : then iti it
down by you upon a cloth or floor, and re-
turn the Stock to its place again. If the
Bees of both hives are prefently after quiet, and
work, kindly, it indicates that there is a Queen
in each, and all will be well j at night tne
Swarm may be taken and fet in the place de-
Hgned font, which fliould be as far from the
btock as pofiible : but fhould the Stock ap-
pear tumultuous and reillefs, it fliews there is
neither an old nor a young Queen. The Swarm
mull therefore be taken and fet over, or bv the
lide of it, the hive being raifed by a ftick,
and the Bees, as well as the Queen, will return
to the old hive again ; otherwife vour Stock
will he intirely ruined.

375. Jf the Swarm has no Queen, It
will foon quit the hive, and return home
without further trouble. It will be proper
to put an empty hive in the place of the
Stock, to amufe the returning Bees, during-
the operation.

376. Thus we have a fecond method of
forming a Swarm artificially, but without
any regard to catching the Queen.

377. But by another procefs (befides the be-
fore-mentioned) Mr. Wildn)an gives us a
flight notion of the matter under the article oi
joining a poor Stock with a rich, page i^S.
** For this purpofe carry a poor and a rich
** hive, into a room a iittle before night,^

M " tlien

ii6 2 Artificial Swarm s .

** then force the Bees out of both hives in*
** to two feparate hives," as before dlreded,
(372) ** Shake upon a cloth, the Bees out of
** a hive that contains the fevvefl: ; fearch
** for the Queen," {hoWy in ivhat manner ?)
** and as foon as you have fecured her, with
" a fufficient retinue, bring the other hive
*' which contains the greater number, and
"*' pLue it on the cloth on which the other
** Bees are, with a lupport on one fide, and
** with a fpoon llicvcl the Bees under it.
** They will foon afcend, and while under
** this imprefiion of fea", will unite peaces
*■' ably with the other Bees ; whereas had they
** been united to the Bees of the richer hive,
** while in pOiT'-ffion of their calile, many
*' of the new cor.:5ers mud: have paid with
'^' their lives for their intrufion."

3^8. By this means it is true we have all
the B ''S together; but he has forgot to in-
form tiSj what further is to be done witli them.

However, v/e may gueis .4 it from his
furth;'[ directions for uniting, page 223.
*' The bell n>^fhod of uniting Bt?s at thiis
" feafon (uuturr.n) is to take t'.ie Bees out
** of both hives, as already dircc'lcd, then
^* to lirike the Bees of one of tlie hives
•''* upon a cloth, take away their Queen, and
*' immediately place over them, the hive
^* in which the Bees taken out of the other
•• hive are. When united and quiet, t/je
** hive with honey^ in which they are to re-
^' main, is put over them, and they will foon
♦• afcend into it, This method requires too

much

Artificial Swarming. 163

niucb lelfure and patience to be generally
followed.

My Method is :

379. Near the clofe of the evening, when
the Bees, wearied with the toilibme tafk
of the day, are retired to their *' golden
** flumbers," I innocently invade their foft
repofe, by removing the weak hive into a
proper place, with little light, and drive
them (372) into an empty hive.

But here it muft be obferved, that the
Bees will not be induced to quit the fooner,
by the loudnefs of the noife, fo much as by
the quicknefs of the ftrokes, and the concuf-
lions of the hive ; for which reafon Bees quit
a ilraw fooner than a box hive, wood fuffer-
ing much lefs comprefiion than ftraw. Now
fome Bees will always linger behind, how-
ever long you may drum (374) j therefore,
when the main body is out, thofe that rife
upon the edges of the combs by beating,
may be bruQied or blown off by a bellows
as they rife ; but if many Hill remain, cut
through the briar bindings, near the bottom,
loofen the combs from the fides, and alfo the
fpleets J you may then life up the rounds of
ftraw, leaving the combs Itanding, and blow
the Bees out from between the combs with a
pair of bellows : they will not relent this fo
much, as being forced out by a brufh or
feather, nor will it injure them fo much.
In a box or hive of our conRrudtion, the
combs are to be feparated ^from the iides,
M z which

1 64. Artificial Swarming.

which being lifted up, leave the combs Hand-
ing, as fixed to the bars.

380. As foon as it is fully evening, hav-
ing all the Bees in an empty hive or box,
which (hould be of the fame dimenfions as
that of the rich Stock, (otherwife flicks
muft be laid acrofs it and treated (372) ; turn
the hive upfide down, fprinkle the Bees
with fugar and ale, fet them upon a ftool
clofe to the floor of the rich Stock, which
immediately lift off, and fet upon the poor
one; being thus doubled, place them where
the rich r tock flood.

381. The fprinkling renders the Bees not
offenfiveto the others, for by crawling among
them it makes them fmell all alike ; and being
done at night, they afcend gradually, and as
it were imperceptibly among the others, J
have frequently done it v^'ithbut a fingle Bee
being ilain. Let them lland thus four or five
nights, having firft ilopped up the bottom
door-way : after this time, you may at night
take off the upper hive, and if all the Bees
be out of the under one, or nearly fo, take
it avi^ay -, Ihould a few remain, turn
the hive on its iide, with its open part to
the door- way of the Stock, and they will
have joined the reil by morning; if not,
flrike them out upon a board or cloth, and
fet them to the Stock, and they will then
enter without difficulty : but if only a few
of the Bees fl^iould have quitted the under
hive, double them again, and let them remain
a week longer. This performance may be

done

Artificial Swarming. 165

uone eafily and fately with only a pair of
gloves ; though I generally do it without.

382. In order to unite the Bees of a com-
ition hive in Autumn with another Stock, by
means of one of my conflrudted ftraw hives,
it will be neceffary to meafure the common
hive bottom, to know whether it will fland
within the coinpafs of one of my wooden
tops ; if it will not, a wooden top fimilar to
mine, but wider, muft be made on purpofe.
Near the clofe of the evening take one of the
wooden tops, v/ith the Aiders therein, and
place it upon fome fupport clofe behind the
Stockj which muft immediately be lifted
thereon, and the door-way flopped ; then take
it to an out-houfe darkened, and turn it upfide
down upon a chair frame, tub, or the like;
be careful in the turning to keep your left-
hand fteady upon the board, to prevent its
flipping, and with your right-hand turn the
hive. It will be proper for young beginners
to tie the board down firft. Be mindful alfo,
that you turn the fide in which the Aiders eu'
tery upwards, as they may otherwiie flip out,
and permit the Bees to efcape, and vent their
fury on you. As foon as turned uplide down,
fet one of my ftraw hives (with its top and
ftraw cover failened on) over it, then with-
draw the Aiders, tie a cloth round the join-
ing, and drive the Bees (372). Tliis being
done, fet them upon a hive floor, and let
them remain there until night, when being
removed to the Stock you wiih to join them
with, thruft the Aiders in at top, fprinkle
M 3 them

1 66 Artificial Swarm iNGi

*hem with fugar'd ale, and flop the door-
way ; then take the flraw cover off, and imme-
diately lifting the Stock up, put it over them,
and either then, or the next night, fet them
thus doubled u^on their proper Hand. But a
flill greater fecurity will be to raile the Stock
you would drive upon the wooden top, with its
iliders in, the night before the removal, at which
time the door-way muft be flopped, leaving
only a fmall chafm for air 3 this prevents the
pollibility of a fingle Bee's hurting the ope-
rator ; fo that a child, had it llrength fufK-
cient, might do it with eafe. This mode I
cfleem the moil perfedl of any, and capable
of being brought into the moll general ufe.

383. I now proceed to give a minute
and certain method of finding and captivat-
ing the Queen; fince, (as I have already
obferved) Mr. Wildman's iirfl method has
often failed us.

384. Having drove the Bees out of a Stock
into an empty hive (372), let a clean and fpa-
cious board or table be in rcadincfs, as alfo a
fpoon and two or three pieces of ftick, about
hpit an inch thick. Set the empty hive on the
table or board, with its edge refling on thefe
flicks, and near the further end of the table ;
then inverting the hive that has the Bees in
it, fet it upon a flool clofe to the table, and
take up a fpoonful of Bees at a time, firfl
from the largell duller, and turn them lei-
farely out upon the table, but (o as not to
hurt or crufn tl em. They will prefently
fpread fo that you may ealily fee if the (iuceii

be

Artificial SwARMiNC» 1 67

be among them ; be as quick wliIi your eyes
as pofTibie, and if not in that fpoonful, ftrike
the Bees uiider the empty hive ; then proceed
with another fpoonful in the fame manner,
until you obfcrve the Queen, whom youmuft
immediately feize between your finger and
thumb, and put into a fmall box with holes
in it, w^ith fome of the woikers for com-
pany. But if after fpooning all out, you ihould
have miffed her, look upon the ground, as (he
may have fallen down, and you may have
trod on her. If fhe be not found, you muft
repeat the operation, for among fuch a mul-
titude, it will be very eafy to over-look her.
If it is a Stock that has been drove to take
away the young Princefles, in order to prevent
fwarming, according to Mr. Wildman, the
whole of the Bees mufl nicely be examined,
becaufe there may be three, four, or more
PrincefTes ; all of which are to be taken a-
way. What Bees are fcattered about may be
taken tip by the fpoon, and returned to the
reft ; or if the window be icX. open, they
will fiy to their ufual abode ; or if an empty
hive be fet near them, and a room darkened,
they will prefently afi'emble in the hive.

385. It fhould always be carefully obferved,
that in turning upandholdingahive in orderto
drive the Bees the edges of the combs flioald oe
next you, otherwife the tlatlldesof the combs
will be inclined to each other, and being very
heavy the ftrokes will loofeu them, and they
will fall againft each other, and crufh many of
the Bees to death, perchance the Queen iicr-
felf, and thus ru n che Stock.

M 4 386. It

1 68 Artificial Swarming.

306. It is very pofTible for a Stock to be
taken up at the cirtical moment, when the
Queen is gone out for air or recreation, there-
fore on driving no Queen will be found ; but
fhe may return afterwards, or even before the
operation of driving is finiihed. This circum-
llance fometimes occafions the experiment to
prove fallacious.

387. A lefs tedious method of forcing a
Swarm is, to fet the Stock in its proper place
after having drove a fufficiency of Bees into
a hive i and let thefe remain : if both are
quiet and work, they have each a Queen; if

^ not, beat the Swarm out by the fide of the
S^ \ Stock, or fet it upfide down vvith its edge
y/ even with the r44iig board, and they will re-
join the Stock. Try again feme days after.

388. But the following is a much readier and
eafier way, by means of hives or boxes con-
ilrudled upon my plan. In the morning thruf!:
in the Aiders to the Stock you would Swarm,
take oft' the cover, and fet over it an empty
hive, with its door- way ftopped; withdraw the
iliders, and let them thus remain until about
mid-day; then fetting a ftool, or the like,
near the back of the Stock, lift it thereon,,
inmiediately flopping the door- way with a rag;

^ „ carry it to fome diftance, and with two flicks

A I drum or beat againft it, until by your ear you

JJ> ' find there are a competent number in the up-

Y per hive, or if a box, you may fee by the win-

^ J dow. Again put theJgh-fUd^fs, let them ftand

about half an hour, when, if both are quiet,

the Stock fhould be taken to its ufual place,

and

Artificial Swarming. 961

and the Swarm remain until night. But if you
have not fucceeded, put the Swarm over the
Stock again, and try fix or eight days after.

389. But if Bees mud be drove to form an
artificial Swarm, I fliall prefer the Rev. Mr.
Thorly's method, which he recommends for
uniting -y but which, with little variation, is
much better adapted to our prefent purpofe.

390. This is done by a narcotic fumigation,
^ produced from xht fungus maximus, or larger

^ mufliroom, varioufly known by the name of
^ hvivl, punkfifl:, frogcheefe, puftballs, or mully-
: puffs. Thefe are of various fizes, and fome as
large as a man's head : they are not fit for the
purpofe until ripe, at which time they turn
brown, and are light; but if fo ripe as to have
the infide turned to powder, they are ufelefs.

391. They may be found about autumn, at
the time that muflirooms are ; and generally
on commons and dry grounds. They are to be
dried gradually by the fire, or Iqueezed flat,
and put into a paper bag, and then into a flow
oven, after the bread is drawn, letting them
continue all night. V/hen they will eafily
catch and retain fire, they are fit for cfe.

392. With a pair oi fcilfars cut a piece of
the punk, as large as a hen's tgg (better at
firft to have too much than too little) and fix
it to the end of a fmall flick, flit for that pur-
pofe, and fharpencd at the other end, which
IS to be Ifuck into the infide top of an mverted
empty hive, fo that the flit end of the flick
may reach as high as the middle : the hiv^ is
then to be put into a p -il or bucket near the
Stock you want to fwarm.

393. Thfs

ijO Artificial Sw ARMING.

393. This done, fet fire to the punk wifh
a candle, and immediately place the Stock of
Bees over it, tying a cloth (which you muft
h.:ve in readinefs) round the joinings, fo that
no fmoke may come forth. In a few minutes
time you may hear them drop like hail into
the empty hive. When the major part are
down, and you hear very few fall, beat the
top of the hive gently with your hand, to get
as many more out as you can ; then loofmg the
cloth lift the hive on a table or broad board,
and knocking the hive againft it feveral times
many more will tumble out, perhaps the
Queen among them ; as fiie often falls one of
the laft. If Ihe be not there, fearch for her
among the main body in the other hive, put-
ting them out upon the table j for the Beci
will be quite fenfelefs, and you may handl'*;;
them as you pleale.

They will continue fo but a fliort time^'
therefore, having taken ail the Queens out, put
as many Bees and a Queen as will be futii-
cient to form a good Swarm into an empty
hive, ftop up the door-way, and place it
as the greateft dillance; put the reft and an-
other Queen into the Stock, wliich fet in its
place again. The next morning unllop the
door of the Swarm, anddeiiroy the fuperfiuous
Queens \ which will effedually prevent the
Stock from calling.

394. But as all thcfc proceil*es o^ forcing a
Swarm is like forcing a man and his family
to quit both houfes and treafure, which can
fcarcely ever be done without a great deal
of trouble -, permit me to accominodate mat-
ters.

Artificial Swarming 171

ters, and propofe a moregentk method of lead-
ing them imperceptibly to do what you would
have them, witnout any violence. Not that it
fliall always be viore certain than any of the
foregoing^vbut as it can be performed with the
greateft facility, and is at the fame time void of
all danger or damage, both to the Operator and
to the JDees, fhould it not fucceed, no harm is
done, and but a trifle of time loft.

395. To do this with common hives, have
ready an empty one, and two pieces of wood,
about two inches broad, and long enough to
lay acrofs the hive that is to be moved ; if
one end of each of thefe pieces be cut circu-
lar, they will be better adapted to extend to
the edge of the hive. Have alfo in readinefs a
bucket, pail, or pan ; or what is ftill better,
an old hive with the top cut off. On either of
thefe place the Stock hive, that is full of Bees,
and ready for fwarming, upfide down j and
immediately fet the empty hive over them -,
then lift them thus doubled on the ftand a-
gain. This muft be done foon after dark, and
with a pair of gloves on.

The next evening, the Bees being then
quiet and reconciled, the joinings muft be
clofed with tempered clay, or other plaifter-
ing, leaving only the ufual door -way, to
which a refting board muft alfo be fixed.

396. This little difturbance, if there be
a perfedl Swarm ready ; that is, a competent
number of Bees with a Queen and Drones i
will caufe them in a day or two either to
rife and fwarm, or afcend into the upper

hive.

172 Artificial SwARMiNd.

hive, and there remain a feparate Swarm :
both working cordially together and going in
and out at the fame door-way. Thus they
are to remain until a little before the ufual
time of taking honey.

397. They are then to be feparated at
night, (605; carrying the upper hive to a ftand
at the greatefl diflance. If the next day either
of the Stocks feem tumultuous and difcon-
tented, that hive mud be raifed about half
an inch : for being without a Queen, they will
otherwife return to the other hive. Near the
clofeof the evening take it to fome oiit-houfe,
drum out the Bees that remain, and take the
honey and wax for your pains. On the con-
trary, if when feparated the Bees of both
hives are peaceable, and work as ufual, you
may preferve either the S\^arm or Stock ac-
cording as they are for goodnefs.

398. This bufinefs, however, may be con-
ducted with flill more eafe and certainty, by
vifing hives or boxes of rny conllrudion,
Firft, having thruft in the Aiders over the
Stock (in th.e dayrtime) take off the cover,
then fet on the empty hive, and withdraw the
Aiders ; let both door- ways be open. This
{hould be done as foon as the Stock becomes
populous. When you find both hives are
well filled (467, 586) in the middle of the
day put in the Aiders ; and if the Bees both
above and below Vv'ork as before, it is a iign
that there is a feparate Swarm in the upper
hive, which at night fliould be taken off, and
placed as far from the Stock as it coiivenient-

Artificial Swarming. 173

ly can be ; then faften on the cover of the
Stock, and withdraw the fliders.

399. But fhould either hive (hew difcon*
tent, and there appear a great throng or croud
about the door-way of the hive, it indicates
that there is no Queen in the upper ; and
therefore the fliders muft be taken out, and
the hives remain as they are, until more fa-
vourable fymptoms appear, when the ex-
periment may be again repeated. However,
a careful eye muft be kept over them, for
after this alarm, though they may not choolc
to feparateand afcend into the upper hive, yet
they may all of a fudden take it into their heads
to fwarm out, either on that day or the next.

400. As the whole of this operation is ex-
ceedingly eafy and fimple, a child may per-
form^ it 3 and (hould it not happen to fucceed,
there is nothing to regret, nor any thing loil...

401. Regard mud be had to this circum.-
ftance of a fcparate Swarm, whenever you
feparate double hives ; for if the Bees, after
fome time fpent in driving, do not feem at
all inclined to relinquiili their hive, it is moll
probable the top one is a feparate Swarm.
Therefore, if fuch a one is wanted to be kept,
leave oft driving, and let it in fome diftant
place, and if that driy or the next they work
peaceably, and there be no extraordinary
croud at the door-way of the, old Stock, there
is no doubt of its being a dlllinct Swatm.

402. It is a very ealy matter to fave the
B^es of Stocks in comnion hives, without
cruelly dcflroying them, and may be done

thus.

174 Artificial Swarming,

thus. Nearly at the clofc of the evening take
the Stock whofe honey you want, drive the
Bees out (372), fprinklc them with ale and
fugar, and then fet them under the Stock to
which you would unite them. Let both hives
thus remain until the cold weather fets in ;
then early in the morning, or in the evening,
lift the upper hive off, and fet it upon a loole
iloor, clofe by ; when if the greater part of
the Bees have not quitted the under hive, turn
it iip on its fide ; with its open part as near
the door-way of the Stock as poffible, and the
Bees willgradually quit their unftored hive, and
unite with the full one. However, let me here
obferve, that this bufinefs may be much more
conveniently done, by means of my open top
hives, into which the Bees may be drove,
and the Stock fet over them, with lefs trouble
than by any other method whatever (382).

403. Having thus given a detail of the
manual operations, it will now be requilite
to make fuch obfervations, as may, perhaps,
be of fome fervice in the application.

404. Driving of Bees is a very antient
practice, but on account of its feldom fucceed-
ing has nevercome into general ufe. Butlerob-
ferves that it was pradifed in Greece, Sicilly,
Italy, &c. under three diftin(5t confiderations,
viz. of exfedlion, or cutting off part of the
combs, in Spring and Autumn, and of driv-
ing at Midfummer : all which heefteems un-
profitable or pernicious, at leafl in our cli-.
mate, whatever it might be in thofe plenti-
ful warmer counirief. Nor from Butler's

time

Artificial Swarming. 17^

time to this have we any better reafons for
f.pprovinu of it, either for the par.[jofes above-
mentioned, or for that of Artificial Swarm-
ing.

405. We will firfl attend to what Mr.
Wiidman himiclf urges upon the fubjed:.
He acknowledges there is danger of killing
the Queen m the operation ; and conicquent-
ly (I will add) the lofs of the Stock. With re-
ipecft to obtaining the Queen, he fays, in page
198, ** There is an art necefiarv to perform it»
** namely. Practice, which I cannot convey
•* to tliem : nor can be fpeedily attained ; yet,
«* until this art be attained, the defiriidion of
" many hives of Bees miifi be the confequence -y
*'• as every one willfinci on their firji attempt tt>
•* perform it.'' To which let me add,/cr ever
after. Nay, I will put it home to Mr. Wild-
man's own bofom, whether, notwithftandmg
his frequent practice o^ driving, he himfelfdoes
not often ruin a Stock of Bees by the opera-
tion ? for the Queen is often loll: upon the
ground, or cru.^ed to death between the
edges of the hive, or fmothered with the
running out of the honey. Many of the
commoners are alfo killed or loft, the combs
are loofened, the eggs ftiaken out, and many
of the embryos fpoiied by the repeated con-
cufuons, and perhaps fo chilled for want of
their ufual warmth during the operation -,
that the whole or greateft part prove abortive.

406. For by experiments made on my
own Stocks, I am fully convinced, that how-
ever

-176 Artificial Swarming.

ever well theprocefs may have been perform-
ed. Stocks feldom thrive after it. Whether
this be owing to the caufc juft recited, or to
the diftrefs and terror the Bees fuffer from
the violence, cannot with certainty be deter-
mined 5 but fo it is, the Bees never work kindly
after it. Neither do I fpeak this of my own
Bees only, for the fame ill fuccefs attended
all of this neighbourhood fo treated, that have
fallen under my notice ; and this in fo great a
degree, that inllead of benefiting the publick,
it has more firmly riveted the people to their
old burning cuftom j fo that they now abhor
the very idea of further improvements.

407. But fuppofing the method hzdfofar
been eligible, there are ftiil greater objections
againll it, as being attended with a great deal
of trouble and time -, and when done, may
probably prove to be labour loft : for as there
are no certain figns to indicate the precife
time of a Stock's being ready to fwarm, the
operation may confequently be attempted be-
fore there are Drones or Queens ready -, in
which cafe it muft be repeated, perhaps feve-
ral times : a fport I believe few country-
people will be brought to delight in, unlefs
the Bees, like flys, had no ftings^ and there
was nothing to fear, nor more to do, than to
turn up the hive, and feize the Queen, as
Mr. Wildman direds, at page 199.

408. We may further objed, that although
the operatton fhould prove lucceffcful, and a
complete Swarm be obtained thereby; yet
the cbief benefit for which the pradice is

defigned

Artificial Swarming. 177

defigned (viz. to fave the trouble of watching
the riling of the Swarms) is not anfwered ; be-
caiife the births of the Princelfcs are very un-
certain both with refpedi to time and num-
bers. Although 3'ou take out all the royal
brood cells which you perceive at the time of
driving, yet there may be fome you can
neither fee nor come at, or others may be
built afterwards. Swarms may therefore af-
terwards rife with fome of the PrinceJfTes,
without being perceived (as no watch will be
kept) and may not only be loll:, but what is
flill worfe, the Stock will thereby be fo im-
poverilhed, as moft probably to perifh before
the next year's honey gathering.

409. From the whole I think we may
falely infer, that it will be much better to
lull them afleep by a dofe of Thorley's fopo-
riferous fume (389), from which no damage
can arife either to the Queen or the other
Bees; tho' how far the brood may be injured
I cannot lay. Thii operation will not take more
time than the other, and a fmall quantity of
fume does the bufinefs. I have ti led the
fume arifmg from many forts of gum relin,
and other drugs, none of which would either
kill or Itupify the Bees, except the fume of
fulphur.

This however is certain and total dellrucflloa
if there is fufficient of it to pervade the whole
hive for a few minutes ; but in a lefs quantity,
many of theBees will recover when expofed to
the air again, while others perhaps may efcapc
being affec^ted at all, and be able as fcon as
N the

178 Artificial Swarming.

the hive is lifted up, to revenge the death of
their friends. Gunpowder in half an ounce
made damp, and managed as directed for
"wafps (671), will have the fame effed: on
Bees : but the combs and Bees are greatly
difcoloured thereby j therefore of the two a
fulphur rag is preterable.

410. But to return and make fiiort of the
matter, 1 can fee no good rcafon for forcing of
Swarms at all : let me afk what are the advan-
tages? If to keep the Bees conftantly and wholly
at work, this may be done by doubling, that

, is, adding an empty hive to them as foon as
they have occalion (480, 484). If to fave
the expence and trouble of watching them
in fwarming-time be the objed: ? this I ac-
knowledge would be of fome advantage, could
the operation be eafily done, and termi-
nated fuccefsfully ; but this we have fliewn is
not the cafe. The expence of hiring a child
to v/atch cannot exceed ten {hillings in any
year, in mod perhaps not half; what perfon
who has a dozen or more hives would grudge
fo trifling a fum ? and where there are fewer
Stocks, and out of the view of the family, can
it be prudent to riik the deflruction of fome of
thefefew Stocks by the operation, for the fake
of fo fmall a faving, when the prefervation
of a fingle Swarm will amply repay it ?

411. Befides, in a large Apiary, it will be
a very arduous talk to drive a great many
Stocks ; and fome of them moft likely two
or three times over. To this may be added,
•* the very great rifcpc of deftroying the

Qiieen,

Artificial Swarming. 179

** Queen, which is of the utmoft importance,
" for the leaft injury done to her brings im-
** mediate deftrudion to the hive." * How
can it be thought that country people can
fpare thofe hours of attention ; can fupport
that anxiety and care; and acquire that dex-
terity, to be gained only by a courfe of many
years experiences^ which are Mr. Wildman's
inflruments of witchcraft in thefe operations;
unlefs, like him, they had nothing elfe to do ?
412. We have eftimated the expence of
watching at ten fliillings, but ought we not
to balance- againft this the labour and trouble
of driving in the Artificial way ? I believe
no one would do that bufmefs under fix-
pence a time, and eftimating this only once
to a Stock, will take off one half ; but as it
may be required to be repeated two or three
times, it may arife to as much, if not moi'e,
than watching; not to mention that after all
this expence there is a great chance of lofing
after-fwarms: for, relying upon what has been
done, no attention will be given to prevent
it. The moft plaufible argument in favour
of this pradice is, that it is ncceflary when
Stocks will not fwarm in due time ; but
what then ? If they be doubled, no harm
can poiTibly arife; they certainly beft know
their ovvn condition, and there may be many
impediments to fwarming beyond the reach
of our infpedion. What good will coercion

do?

* T. IVildTriim on the Management of Bees ^ 199.
% Ibid. 201.

N 2

1 8*0 Artificial Swarming.

do ? Had we not better lead them gently, ae
cording to their own propenfitics, than t^
rilk their ruin a-nd our own reverfion'ary pro-
lit, by irritating them by our violence ? In-
large but their habitations, and lb fa? fronT
being indolent, they will labour with- the moll:
anxious and unremitting afiiduity torepleniih
their hives, as far as nature's bounty can Tup-
ply, and make you a prefent proSt .of a hive
or two of virgin honey; and the next year a
large 2.Yid early Swann : thus amply recom-
pencing your forbearance and care.

413. After all, both from Mr. WildmanV
own acknowledgQient, as well as fVom what
we have related of the mattery it appears that
the danger and difriculty,muft render the prac-
tice wholly unfit to be generally followed j and
though It is BOW ten years fince it has been
introduced, but a Very few perfons have adopt-
ed ity snd feveral of thefehave relinq^uiflied it
from its- unfuccefsfuinefs.

414. Now although we hold driving to be
very pernicious to Stocks when done for the
purpofe of /warming them ; yet we do not
mean that it is fo when performed for the
fake of uniting (366) or of feparating hives,
which will be treated of hereafter (607) ;
provided that Stock only which is to be
taken be drove ; for aiiy Stock tht^f is dejigned
to jiandy fliould by no means be meddled with,
except to raife or 'to double it ; and the lefs
diflurbancc the Bees have the better.

415. However, if any one ihould ehoefe
to fwarm the Bees by force, let him always

carefully

jSrtificid Sw A R m i n G . 1 8 1

£.srefu!ly obfcrve that it mull: never be at-
tempted until they give very ftrong ligns
of being ready for the feparation. A caJm
Oill day mull alio be cholca; for turbulent
weather difcommodes them in their w^ork,
and makes them angry and revengeful.
The middle of the day, when they are
moftly abroad, is likewife to be preferred.
For if fwarHied, when the greatei' part are
at home, there will be a large Swarm it is
true; but the Stock will thereby be too much
reduced j add the brood fuffering for want
of its iifual warmth and attendance, will alfo
fail, fo that before the next fummer, the
Stock itfelf will perilh, or be too poor to
do any eiTential fervice.

416. Before any perfon attempts to perform
this operation, he ought to be well ac-
quainted with the appearance of a Queen
Bee. If he has not this piece of knowledge
he muft acquire it, either by fearching for
one among fuch of his neighbours Bees
as have been fufFocaced, or by applying to
fome experienced perlbn to (hew hirn one.
For' unlefs the Apiator can diftinguifh her
at the firft glance, it is a hundred to one
but flie eludes the fearch, when he attempts
the perlbrmance ; and which happens ibme-
times to the moft experienced, even at a
time, when there are two or three Qneens
in the Stock. Therefore when the Queen
is not found, the Bees muft be all fpooped
(376) over again. And if ^^ be not then
|bqnd. the old Queen has fecreted herfelf
N 3 among

iSz Arttjkial Swarming.

among the combs, and will not quit her.
poft, however long you may drum. (379).

417. Or perhaps, at the critical moment
that a Stock is taken, the Queen may be
gone out to recreate and air herielf, and con-
fbquently you mufl mifs her in the hive.

418. That fhe does fo, I once, and only
once, had ocular demonftration. One of
my Stocks, at the latter end of the fummer,
had fuch a prodigious pumber of Drones,
that they con fumed, almoft all the honey,
as faft as the labourers procured it. This
I thought (hameful, and therefore, was deter-
mined to kill great part of thefe luxurious
cormorants, as faft as they appeared at the
the door-way. At this time, there was
a large number of workers at the door, drum-
ming with their wrings, and uttering joyful
founds. Unluckily attempting with my
finger to crufli a returning Drone, as I
thought, though it proved to be the Queen I
hurt her, though not mortally, ere I per-
ceived my m.iftake. She ftaggered, and was
unable to walk. The concourfe of Bees that
were at the door faw her difirefs, and were
in the utmoit confternation ; they licked
her with their tongues, and ufed all the
little endearments they could to reftore her.
This continued fome minutes. But being ftill
difabled, a number of Bees got lender her, and
carried her upon their backs into the hive.

420. I was not without my fears for the
event, as fuppofmg ihe would die with the
Injury: However, the next day, the Bees

worked,

Artificial Swarming. 1S3

worked with the fame alacrity as ufual j con-
sequently the Queen recovered.

421. From this inftance I conjedure, that'
the Queen often makes an excurlion in fine'
weather, accompanied with a great retinue.
At this time aifo numbers croud the door,
drumming with their wings, and the whole
hive feems full of joy. I had obferved this
circumftancc many times before j but never-
fufpetftcd the reafon of it until then j and'
no doubt others have obferved the fame.
My own avocations are too numerous
to fpare the neceffary time for fuch minute
and cloje invelligations as to afcertain whe-
ther it be upon the above account or not,'
tliat the Bees appear in that unufual man-
ner. Perhaps fome ingenious Bee virtuofo,'
who is blell: with fufficient leifure to make
the neceffary obfervations, will be able to
clear up this point.

422. But to return to our fu"bje(fl. When
a futHciency of Bees to form a Swarm are
driven out of a Stock, obferve whether
there be any royal cells fealed up ] if there
are, fet the Stock in its place again, tho'
there lliould be ^ Queen ; for as there
foon will be one, the Bees in that ex-
pe(flation will go on with their works. And
the Swarm may be fet in fome other place ;
without the trouble of turning them out,
to fearch for a Queen : unlefs you- want a
fpare Queen for any particular purpofe, either
of ufe or curiofity.

423. But if itappears that there is no royaf
tfood,fet the Stock in its place, and minutely

N 4 examine

iS4 Artificial Swarming.

examine all -the drove Bees, and take out al|
the Queens. If only two are found, put
one to the old Stock, and the other to tke
Swarm, fliould there be more than two,
lele(ft the two largeft ; the others may be
referved, with a few Drones, in a little box
with holes, laying a little honey on the top
f jr iheir fubfiftence ; or if they be put in a glafs
yellel, and watched, you may perhapsbe enter-
tained with the confummation of the royal

, nuptial. A moft furprizingly rare fight ! We
cannot, however, dilmifs this fubje6l without
(lie wing how to fix a Swarm to any place yoii
wifh.

424. Let it be remarked, and it is very won-
derful, that fuch wild, ferocious, and revenge-
ful inieds as Bees, {hall by a few minutes con-
finement, and fmartly beating upon their hive,
bedivefled of all their courage and ferocity; and
become fo tame, as to fuffer themfelvcs to be
taken up in the hanri, without difcovering i\\^.
lead refentment, unlefs you hurt them. For
when they have been taken off the ftano,
carried to fome diflance, confined by means
of a cloth or another hive placed over thorn,
and the hive has been briildy drummed
upon for a (hort fpace, their panic and ter-
ror is fo great, that you may do as you

■ pl>- )fe with them. ' In ' confequence of
^viiich, the Queen is then to be fcarched
for, and when found, is to be put into a
little box which you {i;iould have ready for
thr.t pu^pofe. Then take her ir^to a clofe
foorn, cut off one of her wings, which wiU

prevent.

Artificial SwAKMiNO". l"8'5

prevent her efcapmg, tie the fore part of her
body round with a filk t)iread, lo as not to
injure her; or rather put her into a very fmall
bag of crape, catgut, or other Hke open ma-
terials ; pin it to your hat, cap, or any
thing elfe you would choofe, and lay it down
clofe to the Swarm. The Bees will loon gather
round her, and remain there until they die,
if you do not remove them.

425. Thus feveral Swarms, driven out of
as many diftind: Stocks, and confined with
their rcfpective Queens, may be fixed up-
on different parts ; as one upon the head,
one upon the flioulders, and another upon
the chin ; by tying a fmal] bandage with
the Queen faftened to it, to each particular
part. Or, by the fame device may be fixed
to a pole, and carried where-ever you pleafe.
By a jftrong (hake of the head, they may
immediately -be diflodged therefrom \i the
Queen has been placed th^re without con-
finement, having only a wing clipped. Or
they may be taken oft" with a fpoon. If a
Queen be taken away and concealed from a
Swarm, near a window that is open, the
Bees will prefently fly into the air ; but by
placing the Queen again in their view they
Vvill prefently" return. This will appear to
have been done by a word of command, to
perfons unacquainted with the fecret.

426. But thcfe are merely tricks, that
tend more to dertroy, than improve Bees;
and is befides \q very diArelsful a fccne, that
pp true lover of thefe very ufeftil ini'cd>3 can

pri*ftice

1 86 Artificial Swarming,^

praftlce it without regret, and therefore I,
fhall inlarge no further upon it.

427. Though I have laid Bees by driving
are made very tra(ftable, yet, let me apprize
yoti, that however nimbly the introdud:ory
part, viz. that of taking the hive off the
ftand, and fetting it on another, or on a
cloth, may be done, fome Bees will inevi-
table efcape, and be apt to fting you..
Therefore a young beginner fhould always
put on a fafe-guard, efpecially if he has not
been familiar with the Bees before. I gene-
rally do it with only a pair of thick leather;
gloves on.

428. Before I clofe this chapter, I can-:
not refrain from addreiling myfelf to thofe"
who will not beperfuaded to their o.wn good,
but will obftinately purfue the old deftrucftive
method of fufFocating their Bees; imagining
that " by deftroying them they may have
** the greater increafe," a notion as void of
fenfe, as it is of truth, unlefs we could
verify Virgil's mode of raifing Bees
from a dead carcafe. We fhould think it the
highefl: abfurdity and cruelty in a king to.
fay, in order to multiply my people, I will
find means every year, to have many thou-
fands of them cut off.

Let my intreaties prevail on fuch to prac-
tice the method I have propofed (395, 402).
It is not more expenfive, and requires but
little trouble; who that has a fpark of com-:
ijiion fenfe, or common humanity would

Glajs VeJJelsfor //6^ Bees to work in. 187

grudge that, for the prefervation of fo many
thoufands of ufeful and induftrious infedts ?
Was the Supreme Beingy to treat us as the
country people treat their Bee^ how wretch-,
ed would be the ftate of human nature !

429. Dames and good women, I conjure
you by all that is good and praife- worthy,
not to deftrpy your Bees, left you yourfelves
fuffer in fome future fituations. After
having read this book, you cannot plead
ignorance, but r4iuit for ever remain inex-
cufable.

CHAPTER XIIL

particular Injir unions how to manage Glajfes
of iiarioiis Figures, and in different Ar-
rangements, as well for Entertainment as.
'Emolument .

43°' ' I ^ ^ E inimitable works of thefe:
J_ wonderful infedts have in all
aaes engaged the attention, not only of the
naturalid and philofopher, but alfo of every
perfon endowed with the leaft fpark of
genius, or fpirit of enquiry. To gratify fo
laudable a curiofity, we will now proceed
to exhibit to the inquifitive, the feveral me-
thods of obtaining a more perfect infpedion
of their extraordinary works and ceconomy.

431. But let it be premifed, that the ufe
of giafTes, is not wholly reflridted to amnfe-
mnt i they are of real ufe, by enabling

J 88 Ghfs Vejfehfor f/je Bees to ivork in-

us to take honey from the Bees, when iri
its grcateft perfcdion. The faihion and
arrangcunent of glafles for the above pur-
pofes depends, indeed, more upon f^ncyj,
than any precife rules. We fhall, however,
defcribe fuch as we think the mofl: eligible.

432. That kind of glafs globe, which
is made ufe of for ftreet lamps, will do as
well as any, and is eafily procurable ; the
0pen part, we (hall call the bottom. It
fhould hold about a peck ; for, if bigger,
it cannot in many fituations be filled in time.
A flick of a proper length, muft be placed
upright in the middle of the globe, with
holes near the upper part, to receive twq
other fmall crofs fticks, to keep it fteadyi
that the Bees may the better fix their combs
therein. In fome placo§, globes may be
had with a hole at the top, on purpofe to
receive the flick, which is to be faflened
over the top by a fmall peg. If the infide
of the globe be previoully rubbed with wax,
fo as to roughen it, the Bees will be greatly
afillted in crawling up.

433. The floor on which it is to fland,
mufl have a bevilor flant cutout^ three inches
wide, and. defcending from the middle to
the edge, which mull be left very thin; by
this means, when the globe is let on, there
will be a free pafi^age for the Bees, at this
part under the edge of the glafs ; diredly
under which, the deepening ihould not be
above three-eighths of an in^h.

434. The

Glafs Vejfdsfor the IJees to work In, J^^

434. The firft large Swarm that rifes, is to
beput into this globe inftead of a hive. There
fliould be Bees enough nearly to fill it ; but
if not, add a Caft (366) to them afterwards.
For if your fuuation fl:iould not be a very
plentiful one, or the fummer (liould prove
tinfavGarable, a fmall quantity of Bees will
not be abk to fill the globe, and a box
befide, which they fhould do -, for they can-
not be kept in the ^lafs, through the winter,
without pcriHiing. The globe is then to be
fet in a Bee-houfe, and a cloth or fome other
convenient covering muft be placed over the
glafs, to keep the light from the Bees;
for othefwife, tMt, and the novelty of their
habitation, will be fo difguftful to them,
that they will be apt to quit it.

A piece of empty honey-comb, (if virgin
the better) placed previoufly in the glafs,
(493) will the fooner reconcile them to it ;
and if in two or three days afterwards, they
have begun to work , there will be no danger
of their deferting it.

435. When they have nearly filled the
globe, or feem to want more room, raife
the glafs upon another hive or box (480).
In about four or five weeks after, if the fea-
fon has been favourable, the brood will be-
all in the under hive or box^,- and the globe,
filled with honey and wax, may be taken
off for the owner's profit.

436. But after the firfl week uf July, whe-
ther they have filled the globe or not, they
inu.i\ be raifed on a box, that they may begin

to

190 Glafs VejfelSifor the Bees to work in.

to work therein for their winter ftore.- About
a mt)nth after, take the globe off at night,
and the next morning turn it up, and
tap the lides with your fingers, until the Bees
have quitted, and left it to your difpofah If
they do not readily come out by tapping,
blow now and then among them with a bel-
lows, which will haften their exit.

437. Another method is, by fetting a
• globe oijer a flrong Stock, as foon as honey
gathering commences (480, 484). But as
the bottom of the globe being circular, will
not extend over the openings of the box or
hive; therefore, before you fet it on > place in
the Aiders, then fetting the globe on, lay pieces
of tea cheft lead (that from the bohea chefts,
as being thickeft, w^ill be beft) tin, tile, or
clay over the openings, which may extend
beyond the circle of the bottom of the globe,
at the fame time raifmg the edge of the
globe in front near half an inch by two
pieces of ftick, at three inches diftance from
each other, for a door- way for the Bees; the
reft of the raifed part, ftop v/ith clay, or
cow dung. Then withdrawing the lliders,
the Bees will afcehd, but the fooner if a
piece or two of a comb be previoufly fixed
in it (434). The door-way of the Stock
muft alfo be ftopped, in order to compel
them to pafs out only from the middle. The
bottom door way mult however be opened three
or four days after they have begun to work in
the globe, and then the middle, or globe
door-way muft be ftopped up, that the Queen

may

Glafs Fejfels.for the Bees to 'work in. T\qx

may be prevented from depofiting any of her
eggs in that. By this means, the globe will
be filled with hitire virgin honey and wax,
and (hould be taken off as foon as it is
•fo(48o). : .

438. But the moft minute, as well as the
moll: comprehenfive view of the Bees and
their operations, is to be obtained by caufing
a Swarm to work in fevcral diilincft glalTes
without any hive at all. For this purpofe,
procure feven three-pint glafs vellels of aiiy
form you pleafe. GlafTes, however, in the
form of a flower beaker, (fig. 13.) without top
or bottom, and not above eight inches high,
will not only make the beft appearance, but
will likewile fupport fuch pieces of empty
combs, as are to be placed in the upper part,
to a great nicety, without any other contri-
vance than circular pieces of plain gldfs cut
out fo as to cover the tops ; or, if anotlier

• range of glafies are defired to be fet over
theie; pieces of rattan or mahogany wood
may be fubftituted, either with circular holes,
or flits, as mofl: agreeable. (The beaker
form I would recommend as the molf eligible
for all glalfes that are to be fet over Bee-
hives, or boxes, to thofe perfons . wl^o pur-
ehafe Bee glafl!es on purpofe).

439. A board or frame mufl: then be pre-
pared of the proper dimenflons for thefe glaflcs
to ftand on, with their mouths, or open ends
downward. The circles made by the, glafles
being marked, four or five circular holes,
each about three quarters oi an inch diame-

" ter

i^i Ghfs Veffeh for the^z^i to work in^

ter, or flits half an inch wide, are to be made
within each circle, over which the glafles
are to fland. This board or franie mufl be
raifed an inchi by nailing a broad hoop round
it; or if fquare, by nailing on fillets of wood,
obferving to cut out a proper paflage for the
Bees in the front fillet. The whole appara*
tus fhould alfo have a bottom, or floor to'
fland on.

440. A portion of fine virgin comb muft
DC placed in each glafs, fo as to extend from
one fide to the other. Small flips of combs on
each fide of the other, will pi-eferve it from
falling when the Bees firft afcend, and when
the work is eompleated, appear the hand-
fomer*

441. The apparatus being thus in feadi*
n^ky and every glais fct in its pl^ce, let the
firft large ^early Swarm you have, be hived as
nfual ; bill if not a large one, add a Cait
afterwards (366). As ioon as the Swarm is
hived, take them to fome out-houfe, catch
the Qiieen (384), cut oiF one of her wings^
(as otherwilb (he will not Hay) and put her
into one of the glafics, (tiwned with its mouth
upwards) ; and with a fpoon, as foon as pof--
^fible, put in us many Bees to her as yoil
conveniently can, and then turn it down
upon its place over the board. The reft of
the Swarm is by fpoonfuls at a time to be
forced under the board ; which, if raifed a
little, will admit them the more eafily, and
tjiey will foon afcend into the glafles. At
night, fet the -gM«e down clofe to the floor

tjlafs Vejj'ehfor the Bees to work In. 193

^galn, and put the whole into the Bee-houfe;
or if defigned to ftand in a room in the
dwelllng-houfe, the diredtion of (135) is to
be obferved.

442. When the glafTes appear nearly full,
or the Bees fcem to want room, they are
to be raifed on a box hive. But, as the
dimenfions of the frame, on which the glaflcs
ftand, may be too large for the top of the
box, to obviate this difficulty, four pieces of
wood muft be nailed, or dove-tailed toge-
ther, fo as to leave an opening of the fame
diameter as the top of the box. But the pieces
mud; be fufficiently broad to reft upon, and
likewife extend beyond the edges of the box,
far enough for the frame to ftand upon. Lay
this fquare on the box, and in the even-
ing, lift up the frame and glaffes, from the
floor, and fet them upon the fquare, that
has been previoully laid over the box.

443. If the frame will not readily part
from the floor, by reafon of combs fixed
thereto, they mufl: be previoufly loofened,
by a long and very thin knife ; or a (beet
of tin thrufl under it. The next morning,
the pafl^age or door-way of the frame mufl
be flopp:;d, to oblige the Bees to pafs only
through that of the box.

444. As fait as the brood are hatched,
and the vacant cells filled with honey, the
glalTes are to be fuccelTively taken ofl", by
Hiding a piecs of tin under each j then nimbly
taking the glafs to fome diftance, turn it up,
and tap about the fides with your fin-

O gets.

i'9'4 Olafs Vi'Jfehfor thi Bees to work in.

gfiFS, and in a little time the Bees will quit
it, without offering you any injury.

445. But lliould they not be filled in time
(615, &c.) they niuft neverthelefs he taken
off, one or tw^o in a day, that the Bees may
be compelled to begin their works in the box:,*
If any of the glaffes fbould have a eonfider-
able brood in rhem, cut out as much of the
eombs as have honey in them as you can, and
fix thofe parts that have brood in them into the
glaffes again, until they are hatched. Or the, .
whole may be kept to work without a box
until honey-gathering be over. In this cafe,:
as fafb as any glaffes appear full of honey, and
without brood, they iliould be taken off, and
empty ones put in their place ; but as foon as
Honey fails, e^uery glafs that is full, and with-
out brood, muft be taken away at night, and
the others are to be let oyer another Stock.

446. When cJl the glaffes are off, put
in the Aiders of the box, and draw it a
little avv'ay from the front, railing the frame
about half an inch 5 at night you may fafely
take it off ^ perhaps there may be many Bees^
in it, and it may alfo be full of combs ; fet
it upon its edge by th.e (^de of the box, and-
by morning the Bees vv'iil J:)ave left it'; if notj^.
drive them out. Lst it be obferved, how-
ever, that little piece's of tin, tea-cheft lead,
tile, or wood iLould be ready, to cover the-
holes with when tlie glaffes are taken off.

447. By this procefs the Bees being com-
pelled to work in /even divifions, thereby af-
ford the nioft confpicuous vi;;w of all tljfr

operatioas,,

Gldfs Vejfehfor the Bees to work in, 195

operations, and in a far fuperior degree than
when in larger bodies \ for then being very
much crowded by numbers, and inclofed by
combs, little fatisfai^ion can be obtained, and
the inquiiitive mind muft be greatly difappoint-
cd. Not that this contrivance, or indeed any
other of boxes with Hiding frames, drawers, or
furrounded with glafs wmdows can poffibly
give a view of the ^leen as often as the owner
pleafes, or as Mr. Wildman fcems to pro-
•mife ; for if there be but 2. Jingle comb in a
divilion, the Qneen will not be feen but when
flie depofits an '^'^^'^ ; at all other times Ihe is
furrounded and veiled from our light by her
numerous retinue.

448. Upon the above plan, a pyramid of
glaiVes may be fo arranged as to form a beau-
tiful encampment of thefe wonderful infect
warriors. Boards mult likewife be provided,
of fuitable dimenfions, to lay between each
range of glaiTes, and correfponding holes made
in them ; that the Bees may pafs freely
through, from the lower to the upper.

449. Another way is to have a glafs circle
or hoop, without either top or bottom 5
over this a board perforated with proper holes
is to be placed, on which another glafs of
Icfs dimenlions may be put, and flill fmallcr
glalTes round that : indeed there are many other
contrivances of this kind, that an ingenio is
fancy may devifc, and to which we can fijc
no limits : the whole, as may be fuppofed,
from theexpence attending them, are dcligned

O 2 gnly

lg6 Glajs Veffelsfor the Bees to work in,

only as elegant exhibitions for perfons of for-
tune.

450. However, it mufl: be remarked, that
the number of the Bees is to be in propor-
tion to the number and bulk of the glalTes^
and alfo to the height of the afcent \ for glaffes
more than one ftory high two good Swarms
will be required, making together about half a
bufhel. Nor muft the exceffive labour it will
cofl thefe induftriousinfedts inthefellippery te-
nements be forgotten j and therefore to fliorten
their tailc, no glaffes lliould be above feveii
or eight inehes high -, otherwife, multitudes
will die of the toil, nor will the Stock be
worth any thing the next year.

451. With refped to taking off the glaffes ;
this is to be performed in the fame manner as
the preceding. The whole fhould be taken
oif the liril week in July, and drove together
in an empty box, when the Bees having
time enough before them, will be enabled
to iill it. Or if left until autumn, the
Queen muft be taken from them ; and if very
numerous, the Bees mufi: be divided, and
united to other Stocks.

452. We now delbend to defcribe a more
humble, though much more ufelul plan, viz.
that of fetting only one range of glalTes upon
a box or hive j by which we may be enabled
to draw the honey from the Bees at the criti-
cal time, when the moil aromatic flowers, that
yield the iinefi: honey, are in perfection.

453. There are glaffes to be had in
London, blown purpofely of leverai fizes ;

thefc

Glafs Fejfeli for-the'BE^s tomorkin,- 197

thefe are globular in the upper part, but
contract towards the bottom. This figure I
fuppofe is-ft4itpt€d to fecure the combs from
falling out, and at the fame time to form a
more pleafing fpedacle. As to the firft
intention, it is perfe«ftly needlefs in fuch
fmall vclTfls, as the Bees will fix their combs
fo as to require no fuch fupport j while the
globular contracted form of the glafs gives the
combs an inconvenientfliape, and rendersthem
incapable of being taken out, without being
previouily cut. Common tumblers are pre-
ferable to thefe, but the beakerform{fig.i3) as
before obfervcd, is by far the moft convenient.

454. Nor ought any of thefe to be lefs than
half a pint, for I have often obferved, that
in fmaller velTels the Bees wafle a great deal of
time and labour, by not having fufiicient room
toworkin,croading too much uponeachothcr,
fo that many, when they are got therein, are
obliged to return back again with their loads.

45;;. Before the glafiJ'cs are fet on a box
hive, or the cover taken ofi^, the Aiders muft be'
put in. Then having in readjnefs pieces of tea-
chefi: lead, adapted to cover any openings that
might appear, let on theglafies, and having co-
vered all the crevices with the lead, keep it tight
by fmall ftones or pieces of lead thereon j but
where lead cannot be ealily come at (though
every confiderable tea-dealer can fLirnilh it)
pieces of tin will do. All being novv' fecur-
ed, fo that no Bee can get out at the top^
withdraw the fliders, and cover the glalfcs
with a cloth ©r the like. But where glalkv^

^ 3 ai«i

198 Glafs Veffelsfor tbe B'S-'e^ to work in,

are fet on a ftraw hive, and not in a houfe,
the circular part of another ftraw hive,
without a top, is to be placed as a circle
round the glalTes, and a pan to cover the
whole J both of which may be lifted up at^
pleafure, and the glafTes viewed with as much
eafe and fafety (Handing at the back of the
hive) as with boxes in a houle. It is bed to
fet the glafics on near the clofe of the evening.

460. Each of the glafles muft have a piece
of empty comb, placed acrols the top ,• with-
out this inticement it will be a long while
before the Bees will afcend to work in them,
and oftentimes not at all ; but with this, they
will begin the very day. Every year, por-
tions of fme comb ihould be referved for
this purpofe, carefully wrapped up in paper,
and placed where they may be kept dry, and
no moth get at them.

461. As fooii as the glares are^filled with
combs, and thefe with honey, (which you
may' know by the cells being nearly all
fealed or covered over with wax) they are to
be taken off, and empty ones placed in their
llead. The nice point now confifls in de^.
termining the quantity that can fafely be taken
away; for otherwife you may take fo much
and fo long, as to leave the Bees no time to
/lore their hive tufficiently to fupport them
through the dreary feafon of winter. Regard
here is to be had to the ftrength of your Stock^
and the goodnefs of the feafon. In fituations
where Stocks ufually afford a hive of honey

( befide their own) about that quantity may be

drawn

Ghifs Veffchfor the Bees /<? work in. 199

drawn from them. Where profit only is in-
tended, confection glafles of two quarts each
will be bell: : a lingle glafs may be let on firfl;
if they feem eager in filling it, it indicates
plenty of pafturage, and you may then ven-
ture to {tt oh more. Alfo, when there are
iioney dews, they (houM be fully fupplied
with glafies. V/hen they feem too much
crowded in the bottom hive, it fhews they
have not room enough in the top, and more
or larger velTels muft be furnifhed them, elfe
they will either lie out or fwarm. About the
middle of July the honey in general begins to
fail, therefore the glafles muft be all taken
off; likewife whenever the Bees flacken their
Work in them, the fame method muft be
purfued ; for if kept on longer, they <will be*
gin to feed on the honey that is in the glafTes.
When combs that have honey in them, are
put into glafles the Bees will eagerly afcend,
and carry away all the honey, and then under
a foolifti miftake begin to work, and refill the
cells again.

462. Obferve alfo, that no glafl'es are to be
fet on a Stock that is intended to fwarm ; ncr
over any that you purpofe to take -, as it will
prevent the Bees from filling an under hive.

463. Some feafons are fo unfavourable for
honey, that no Stocks will bear drawing,
without being too much impoveriflied there-
by ; befides which, attention muft be paid to
iuch Stocks as being much more numerous in
Bees than others, will fill feveral glafl'crs;
while others iliall not be able to fill pne. No

Q 4 dif-

200 To Raife or Donhle Stocks.

difcriminating rules can be given for every
cafe, fomething mufl be left to difcretion,
and to obfervation formed upon pra<ftice.
Bees will much readier fill glaffes fet over
them, than by the fide or collateral.

464. Inflead of glaffes, either where thefe
are not to be had, or where curiofity is not
the motive, old cracked mugs or pans may be
fubftituted, and will fufficiently anfwer the
purpofe.

465. By this method we acquire more per-
fectly, with more eafe, and without running
any rifque, all the advantages intended by the
frequent fhifting of hives, fo much extolled by
fome authors ; and this moreover without giv-
ing any difturbance, or doing any injury to
the Bees. At the fame time you are enabled
to mdulge In the pleafing contemplations, and
to examine at le iure with what alnduity ;ipd
fa^jacity the(e our diminitive fervants effect
works of fo much w.fdom and utility.

CHAPTER XIV.

Ji^^ Method dnd Time of Raising or
Doubling Hives and Stocks.

466. 1 T has already been obferved (282)

j[ that Stocks fhould be double hived

when they begin to lie out. We now add»

that

^0 Raife or Double Stocks. 201

that they are likevvife to be fo when you wifli
any particular Stock not to fvvarm j as alfo,
when they fhevv ligns of being too much
crouded, and want an enlargement of their
h?bitation. Laftly, Stocks that have not
fvvarmed by a certain time, muft be fupplied
with an additional hive.

467. By the term Raijing Stocks, is gene-
rally meant the operation of fettng an empty
hive under a full one, or upon lifts orekeings.
While by that of Doubling, we mean the ad-
ding an empty hive to a full one, by placing
it under, or at its fide.

468. Before we proceed further, it will be
highly proper to be able to judge of the full-
nefs of a hive, in order to its being doubled,
efpecially of fuch as are without windows.
This may be tolerably well afcertained, by at-
tentively obferving in the day-time the croud
going in and out of the hive. If the croud
be conftantly greater than formerly, the num-
ber of the Bees has moft adaredly been con-
iiderably increafed. Some fhare, however, of
experience is here abfolutely neceffary, as that
alone can enable us to determine with the
requifite precilion : therefore, as another, and
indeed by no means an inconiiderable help,
ftrike the lides of the hive with your fill in
the evening; and if it be full of Bees you
will hear a great buz all through the hive ;
but if partially filled, the buz will feem to
come moftly from the middle. The hive
alfo, if full o^ combs and honey, will feel

tight

202 To Raife or DoMs Stocks,

tight and folid to the firoke,* whereas if there
be only a few combs, it will feem hollow,
both in found, and to the touch.

469. When numbers of Bees are obferved
to play idly about the entrance of the hive,
while others keep drumming with their wings-s
and if at the fame time the hive feels heavy j it
isacertain iign that the Bees wantmore room,
either for themfelves or their honey j and the
Stock muil: therefore be immediately doubled.
For it is likely they cannot fwarm, either for
want of a Princefj or of Drones, and there-
fore being inailive at a time when there \s
mod honey to be got, the moft precious
part of the feafon will be loft, in waiting
longer for their fwarming. Nay, if the fitua-
tion and feafon be very good, a Swarm may
Itill rife notwithftanding the doubling.

470. No Stock fhould be raifed*, until re-
plenifhed with Bees ; which in fome years is
not until the latter end of June or middle of
July ; and fhould they then continue icanty
and feel light, fuch mud: ?20t be doubled at all,
unlefs you firft add a Swarm or Cafl to
flrengthen them.

The greater the number of Bees in the
fpring, and the heavier the hives, from the
number of combs, the fooner the Stocks will
want doubling. This may be done in fuch
cafe in May, or if the fpring be very early in

April.

471. Such

* TVe P^all ufe the terms Doubling or Raifino; as fyrwii'-
mous, ivhcn opplkabk to the collaicrcU srjhry nicthgcL

To RaJfe or DcfuhJe Stocks. 203

47 1. Such Swarms of the preceding year
as are populous and weighty, will be the fitteft
to let glades or Imall veffels on inftead of
dpubling; for thefe will be good Stocks for
the next year.

472. It has employed much time and in-
genious contrivance to prevent the Queen's
breeding in the old hive or box, after a frefh
empty one has been added to it. But in fome
feafons flie will do this whatever methods may
be taken, either in the collateral method, or
that of raifing. This I have feveral years ex-
perienced ; but efpecially m the year 1779, I
obferved that of old Stocks which had been
raifed three ftories, and all of which were well
^lled, the two uppermofl hives had broods
in them when taken even in the autumn.

473. From hence I infer, that next to
glafles or fmall velTels, the furefl way of ob-
taining t]:ie greatefl number of i/itire vi'rgm
hrceSi will be to place empty hives over
half of thofe Stocks which were lad year's
Swarms,and are now in proper condition, while
the other half may be raifed, or ftand to
fwarm. By this management thefe Stocks will
work themfelves down into the under hiies,
and thus form frefli Stocks for next year, and
are then to have empty hives placed over
them in their turn ; while the others are at
the fame time to be raifcd, as bemg then of
two years ilanding. Thus they are to be
changed alternately, year after year, furnilhing
a large quantity of fine honey and wax, and at

the

204 ^0 Raife or Double S T o K g .'

at the fame time alfo preventing any of your
hives {landing more than two years; longer
than whicli no Stocks fhould be fuffered at
any rate to continue in one hive i for after
that period the combs become black and
iilthy ; many of the cells choaked up with old
and ijfelefs farina ; and the whole hive peftered
with moths and other infects, often to the
intire deftrudion of the Stock. To pre-
vent miftakes, the llands fhould be all num-
bered, and a regifter kept of the age of each
Stock.

474. Never let any of the Stocks want
room, for that will teach the Bees to be idle.
Theyfometimes require enlargement veryfud-
denly; for by a large delivery of young in the
fpace of a few hours, the hive will become
too much crowded; which will probably oc-
calion a fudden and unexpected Swarm to
rife.

475. The Stocks of the laft feafon that
'appear ftrong, and which you intend to raJfi,
may remain Jingle until the Swarm be out ;
for if raited before, it may prevent fwarming,
or elfe retard it until too late. But (hould
any of the Bees lie out more than three or
four days (281), rouze them from their be-
ginning inad:ivity by raifing them.

476. But if you have Stocks enough al-
ready, and therefore do not want Swarms, fet
an empty hive under them as foon as ever
they either feem crowded, work briflily, or
the weather be enticing.

477. Th.e.

^0 Raife or Double Stocks. 20^

477. The fame thing muft alfo be done to
all Stocks that are two years old and upwards -,
for they will by thefe means be frequently
prevented from fwarming j and confequently
there will be the greater chance of their quit-
ing their old tenement and filling the new
under one in time.

478. The raifing of Bees has been diredlerf
by Mr. Wildman, and other writers, to be
done in the day-time: this I have found a
very troublefome and difagreeable taflc, and
not to be executed without receiving fome
flings, unlefs properly covered. Boxes with
lliders that lland in houfes, are however to
be excepted, becaufe the Bees do not fee the
aggreflbr before the operation is over.

479. But to do it with flraw hives with-
out giving offence to the Bees, and with the
greateft eafe to the operator, the evening,
when it is but juft light enough to fee how
to place your inftruments, is a much properer
time; 01 a clear flar or moon-light night will
be flill better. It may be done however late
at night by the light of a candle and lan-
tern, brought no nearer than is abfolutely
necelTary, which is better than in the clofe of
the evening i for the later this bufmefs is exe-
cuted, the more quiet and fleepy are the Bees,
and, before they are much alarmed, the opera-
tion will be over.

480. The method of doing it Is this; fet clofe
to the Stock a (lool, chair-frame, or the like, fo
that it may ftand firm; have ready an empty

hive

1ib6 To Rai/e or Double Stocics*

hive with its cover off, and alfo a hive floor^
Lift up theStockj tioor and all, very gently,
put it upon the ftool, and place the empty hive
and floor upon thelland; the Stock mufl then be
lifted up from its floor, and fet over the empty-
hive. The floor with the loofe Bees on it,
mufli he phiced and lupported, fo that the edge
may touch the door-way of the Stock, or at
leaft the edge of its floor. Many Bees will
oftentimes be left on it ; but they will join
their cornpanions belore morning. How-*
ever, if there be any danger of rain, they
muft be fecured therefrom by a proper cover-
ing. A pair of gloves is all the defence necef-
fary for this operation.

481. Where hives have not a moineable
■floor, this operation will be more trouble-
ibme to perform, and fome of the Bees will
be killed, by fetting the empty hive over
the loofe ones that remain on the ftand
after the Stock is lifted off, and fet upon the
ftool. When the empty hive is in its place,
the Stock is then again to be lifted up, and
put upon it. Thus for want of the advantage
of a moveable floor, the Stock undergoes si
double removal and diflurbance.

482. Early in the morn i rag, examine if
you have fet the hives right -, the upper
door way upon a line with the bottom one.
If there be any openings, flip pieces of tin
or tea-cheft lead over them, and phifter
them and the joinings with clay, or any other
proper lubiiance.

483. But

To Ralfe or Double Stocks. 207

483. But obferve this ge?ie?-a! ftile, do na
more at the time of any operation than is
abfolutely neceflary. It is always beft if the
Bees infult you, to go from them for a Httle
while, and then return and do a little more.
By this gentle mode of proceeding, you will
accomplifli it with eafe and fafety, and with-
out any breach of friendfliip.

484. When an empty hive is to be fetr
over a Stock, you have only to fhove in the
Aiders of the latter, take off the cover, then
fet the empty hive over, and withdraw the
Aiders. This may be done with very little
rifk in the day time ; but at night there is
no hazard of receiving even a Angle A:ing.

485-. As the variatiorr in joining collateral
boxes,. conAfts only in introducing the Aiders
into the Ades inAead of the tops, there
needs no farther explanation. Whenever
a hive or box be fet ander another, keep bofli
door-ways open for fome days : this eafes the
Bees of the unnecefiary labour of climbing
up the empty hhjt with their burdens,
perhaps for weeks, before the upper one
is fo full as to induce them to work in the
under. But Aiould they not in two or three
days work out at both door- ways, Aiut the
upper one, by which meciis, they will be-
come acquainted with the bottom entrance.
In a few days after, open the upper one,
and they will continue to pafs out of both ;
and if they are then nearly in want of room,
or if there be plenty of honey to gather, it will
compel them to work in the under hivej

and

2'(58 ^0 Raife or Double Stocks.

and they will do this the fooner, in pro-
portion to the eafe with which they can
either afcend or defcend. And not only
much time and fatigue will be faved by this
management, but the hives will be alfo much
Xooner filled. A confideration which ought
to be of great weight with the owner. Nor
is this all : for by adding a hive early,
with the middle door- way <3^^/?, the Bees
are in no wife hindered, and whenever fo
difpofed, will defcend without any care or
attendance of the Apiator.

486. Here it may be proper to obferve,
that if a good Stock or Swarm be purchafcd
about fwarming-time, it fliould be fet on
an empty box or hive, ready placed with
its door-way fhut, nutil the Bees be well ac-
quainted with their new iituation.

487. In collateral boxes, both door-ways
may be left open when firft doubled ; which
fhould be early. The Queen, having then
room enough in one box, will not be tempted
to move into the other, until more combs are
wanted, for her continually increafing fa-
mily. Therefore, about the middle of the
honey harvell:, or the firft week in July;
due regard, however, b»ing had to the na-
ture of the feafon ; ftop up the door-way
of that box, which is intended to be taken
for the honey. The Queen will ceafe, in
general, to depofit her eggs therein, and the
Bees will have fufficient time to fill the
brood-cells with honey, as faft as they be-
come empty.

488. The

To Raife or Double Stocks. iog

4S!8. The ingenious Madam Vicat, a
Swifs lady, who has favoured the world with
feme fenfible remarks; and alfo an experienced
writer, under the lignature of a Lover of
Bees,^' which may be found in the ap-
pendix to Mr. Wildman's treatife ; have
from their experiments concluded, that Bees
will not afcend to work in an upper hhe,
unlefs late in the feafon, and when they have
neither fwarmed, nor have any hopes of a
Princefs.. Want of room will then oblige
them to afcend, but if a Princefs be bred,
they will rather fwarm than do it.

489^ Thefe obfervations are in general
true; and while the Bees are confined to
the palTage of the bottom hiv6 onlyt and with
fo few, and fuch limited openings, as they
feem to haiVe been in the experiments made
by connoiffeurs, the fame refult will almoft
always be obferved. But with more inlarged,
and better difpofed communications, and with
a proper management of the door -ways, frt
the manner above defcribed, the Bees will
adt differently, induced by the great fa-
cility with which they can accomplifh theif
deiignsw

490. Glafs, in particular, is very difagree-
able to Beei, and fo unlike any habitations
they are uled to, that nothing but neceifity,

P or

* JVhofe method of getting one box before another ;
had been tried before JVorUdge' i time, and ic-as found un-

fyxccefsful.

210 1^0 Raife or Double Stocks.

or the ftrong temptation of a cortib, pre-
vioufly placed in it, will inticc them to build
therein.

491. Neither muft it be concluded, be-
caufe fome Stocks cannot by any manage-
ment whatever be induced to work in an
upper hive, that therefore it is from averfion.
For they may have a fufficiency of room
already. To which may be alfo added, that
fpme years, and fome iitufitions, may be fo
bad, as not to yield a fupply fufficient to fill
two boxes : or the Bees may not be fuf-
ficiently numerous to perform fo much work.
Under fuch circumftances as thefe, it will
be in vain to expe(5l the Bees to work, either
in an under or upper box : and therefore
the failure cannot with any propriety or
J'hadow of reafonirig, be attributed to the
fcbeme or mode of management ^ unlefs you
can fuppofe the author pretends to inflru(5t
you how to command the feafons alfo !

;.492. The better to elucidate this point,
permit me to recite an experiment, which I
have frequently repeated. This confided
hi placing an empty box hive over one with a
Stock in it, after previoufly fixing in fome pieces
combs, filled with honey, by way of decoy :
The Bees always afcended immediately, and
vyith the greatejfl avidity eat up or carried
away all tlie honey, under a fuppufition, that
it was placed there for that very purpoie,
or might be foon taken away again. But
finding- afterwards, that the combs remained,
they began to refill ths cells; and gradually

added

To Raife or Double StocJcs* 2tt

added ethers until they had filled the
box. While in other boxes without decoys,
they have only raifed fome combs, upwards
between the bars, without conftrucfting any
at the top, or filling the box.

493. Some years ago I had Tl fmall box,
the top of which had the ulual number of
holes. In May the Bees feeming to want
room, another box was fet over it, and
the lower door-ways (lopped. The Bees on
tiiis entered in at the upper paiTage, and went
through the holes into the under box without
difcovering the lealt inclination to work in
xw^ upper one, although at the fame tims
there was fuch plenty of honey pafiure as
occafioned them to caft out a great number
of their brood to m;ike room for their honev.
Provoked at this, I took the empty box off,
(a perilous taik with fuch boxes) and inverting
the full one, fet the empty one over it, bottom
to bottom, without any bars between. This
at once hit their fancy 3 they prefently not
only extended their combs upwards, but alfo
began combs at the top of the upper box,
Working them downvi^ards, fo that the upper
and under combs met, though not in right
lines; the whole forming a curious and gro-
telque appearance. Nor have I ever fince
found that by fetting boxes over others that
had holes in them, after the common m.anner,
or communicated with each other by partial
openings only, the Bees could be induced to
work in the additional box.

P 2 494. But

2i2 To Raife or Double Stocks.

494. But where bars have been ufed, if
the feafon has been good, they have feldom
difappointed me. It may be proper here
to relate a remarkable inftance of two Swarms,
each of which when hived, being too numerous
for one of my ftraw hives, many of the Bees
were forced to lie out. Empty hives were
then fet over each of the Swarms 1 and dur-
ing the fummer they half jfilled thefe wrth the
pureft honey and wax.

495. Thefe examples prove inconteftibl)!
the propriety and advantages of bars, over any'
other conftrudions ; the reafon feems to be
this, the openings between the bars coincide
fo well with thafe between the combs, that
the Bees meeting with no obfliacle to their
afcent, are deceived into a notion that the
two boxes are but one ; and therefore carry
on their works without hefitation. Happy
for us, if many of the falfe notions among
men proved as beneficial.

496. Bees -that are kept In common flraw
hiveSj are often obliged to be idle for want
of room, greatly to the owner'& difadvantage.
To remedy this, fueh Stocks as are weighty and
ieem full of Bees, and that have not fwarm-
ed by the middle of July, or by the time the
black- berries begin to blow (for feafons and
lituutlons mufi be allowed for) efpecially if
the weather has been fine; fuch Stocks I fay
fhould be turned upfidc down, and empty
hives placed over them (493). TheBees being
in this unnatural pofition, will more readily
go into the empty hive, than if they had

been

To Raife or Double Stocks. 213

been fet over it in the common way. This
will generally be the cafe ; but it muft be al-
lowed that fometimes neither one way nor
the other will fucceed. Therefore after they
have been doubled a itw days, it will be
proper to try how matters ftand, by flrik-
ing the upper hive with your fift in the
evening, when the Bees are all at home. If
a large quantity of them have ftxecj thenifelves
in it, you will hear a conliderable buz; but
if this be not the cafe, fix in another empty
hive a comb with honey in it ; and at night
take the other empty hive off, and place this in
its flead: inticed by the hoiiey-comb,they will
Toon afcend and begin to work.

497. Another way is to turn an empty
hive upfide down, and near the bottom
cut an opening fufficient to form a proper
door- way, to which fix an alighting-board 1
lay the ufual bars acrofs the top, and at night
fet the full hive over it; and either then, or
early the next morning, block up the other
door-ways, and plafter the joining all round,
fo that no Bee can come out, but at the new
bottom entrance. This will anfwer better, as
being more agreeable to their ufual ftile of
building ; but after they have flood thus
a few days, in order to (horten the toil of the
Bees crawling up the empty hive, open a
middle door-way; and if they then work at
both paflages, it is a fure indication that they
have begun to make combs in the under hive.
By this management they are continually kept
employed to their mailer's advantage ; and
P 3 Jiot

214 To Raije or Double Stocks.

not only fo, but when the hives come to b
feparated, the bottom one may probably con-
tain a Swarm, and be referved as a Stock for
next year (398).

498. Who that pofTefies butafmall portion
of humanity, and has the example of thefe
induftrious creatures continually before his
eyes, will not piuck from his bofom the
hand of flothfulnefs, and perform this kind
office, as well to eocreafe his own fi:ore,
as at the fame time to fwe the innocent
and deferving infeds from the murdering
match !

499. A lefs advantageous method is pur-
fued by fome country- people ; thefe ufe what
they call an ekeing or lift i confifling of three
or four rounds of another hive, the ed2"es of
which are made even, and fewed down with
packthread. The full hive is raifed on thefe,
to give them more room. This pradlice is at-
tended with many inconveniences, and often
proves infufficient for the intended purpofe;
and therefore it is beil to raife them at once,
as before direded (480), efpecially as it may
be equally, if not more eafily performed,
When it is obferved that the Bees in the fpring
feafon do not carry in farina, it is to be
apprehended that the Queen is dead. Jf fo, as
foon as their honey is confumed,and often be-
fore if honey pafture be commenced, they will
relinquilh their own hive, taking with them
what honeymay be left, and unite with fome
ejf the '.}X\itx Stocks, occafioning thereby an
:. ■ ■ '. ■. unufual

To Raife or Double Stocks. 215

nnufual cronding at the door-way of fiich
btock, as though invaded by robbing
Bees ; or as if they were going to fwarrn.
When fuch circumftances appear, the ^leen-
lefs Stock diould at night be fet over Ibme
other (480, 484).

500. To thofe who have glafs windows In
their hives or boxes, it may be of fome ufe
to know, that when Bees begin to work in a
hive, they conllru(5t the rudiments of feveral
combs at once: and to accompHfh this with
the greateft eafe and expedition, a part of the
Bees are formed into as many diftindl ranges,
hanging down from the top Hke fo many
chains, by which thofe that arc to fafliion
the combs, afcend and defcend. If the number
of Bees be very great, they hang clofe and
thick, hke fo many curtains ; but if not many
in number, few only can be fpared for this
purpcfe ; therefore they then form chains of
fmgle Bees, hnked to each other by the claws,
the bottom Bee keeping the v/hole Hnkfteady
by clinging fafl to the floor; but this being a
hard tafk, it holds it but a few minutes, and
then it gives place to another. \\\ the even-
ing they draw up to the top in a clofe duller,
to tajce their neceflary repofe.

50 r. When therefore a Swarm has been
hived, or a Stock doubled, and the Bees hang
down as above defcribed, it is a fure fign that
they have begun to form fome combs therein ;
or if it be a doubled Stock that has notfwar'n-
ed, there is no danger that it will, if honey-
pafture be plentiful, until the additional hive

P 4 bQ

Ji6 Of Pafiurage and Bee-Flowers»,

be nearly filled. In ftraw hives that have no
■windows, by gently lifting th^m up behind,
a peep may be had without danger.

502. There have been inllances of fuch
very hot fummers as to melt the honey, and
foften the combs fo mnch as to ruin the
Stocks. The fummer of 17791 had in fome
places this effe<3: : in fuch cafes fhelter the
hives as much as poffible, by mats, bags,
long ftraw, or branches of trees, and alfo raife
the hives half an inch or more, to admit the
gir. In bee houfes fet all the doors open, and
frequently water the ground about the hives.

503. In all extenfive Apiaries, it will be
ufeful to keep two or three Stocks in boxes,,
38 ferving for indexes or flaqdards, indicating
the (late or fuccefs of all thq other Stocks.
The windows affording aproper and fufficient
infpecSlion for acquiring fuch information.

CHAPTER Xy.

Of the Pasturage or Flowers proper for
Bees j with a Cxitalogue of them, and Ob^
fervations thereon \ alfo, of the proper Num-
ber of Stocks requifite for different Si-
tuations.

504.TjrOwever fkilfully Bees may be ma-
JL JL naged, the profits ariling there-
from muH m agreat meafure depend upon the

goodneis

#

Oj Tajiiirage and Bee-Flowers. i\j

goodnefs of the fituation for pafturage; or in
other words, upon the quantity of luch flow-
ers as will yield the greateft plenty of fine
honey, and of farina for the fuftenance of
the brood.

505. Bees under very indifferent manage-
ment, where a profulion of food can be
fpeedily acquired, will fucceed better than
others under the xno?i Jkillfuly can pofUbly do,
where bee-flowers are foon exhaufled, or are
inconfiderable in quantity, or at too great a
difl^ance.

506. On the other hand. In a bad iituation,^
and with bad management, they will pro-
duce but a trifling advantage; and fhould a
few untoward feafons fucceed each other,
they will be reduced to nothing. To thefe
united caufes is owing that fcantinefs of Bees
obfervable almoft in every county of this
kingdom, fome particular heaths and com-r
mons excepted. For as thefe are generally
fkirted by woods, and as woods, heaths, and
commons hardly ever fuffcr from the ravages
of the unfparing fcythe, the Bee-flowers are
left untouched. Particularly favourable are
fuch commons as are thickly covered with
mole-hills, on which the wild thyme fpreads
its aromatic fweets ; but pleafing to the Bees
alone ; to fheep and other cattle unfavory,
and by them unheeded.

507. Where heath or broom abound the
colle<^ions of honey are very large; theie
plants continuing very long and late io bloom,
' often

>^

2 1 8 Of Pajlurage and Bee-Flowers,

often to November j but though the quan^
tity of honey be very confiderable, yet its
quality is very ordinary ; perhaps there is none
worfe, except that acquired frcm buckwheat,
which alfo furniflies a profufion,

508. Honey colled:ed from gardens, is in
England generally fuperior to any other j as
thefe afford more aromatic and Tweeter flowers
than either fields or woods ; but then the-
quantity is very fmall compared to the other.

509. It is an error, however, to fuppofe
that the Bees gather from all fweet flo^vers,
indifcriminately : fo far from it, they are
very nice in their choice, and entirely rejed:
thofe we moft efieem. The chciceft pro-
ductions of the flower gardens, as rofes, pinks,
hyacinths, auriculas, fweet-williams, flocks,
honey-fuckles,jefl!amines, and many others of
gorgeous and varied hues, as well as highly
fragrant odours, are all as ufelefs pageants to
our Bees, unworthy their leaft regard : while
flowers of little or no apparent beauty, and
fo minute as to appear to us fcarce worthy of
notice, furnifh to them the choiceft ftores,
and the richefl: repafls.

510. But where a choice is denied them,
like the poor among mankind, they are com-
pelled to feed on coarfer diet : nay, infl:ances
are upon record of their collecting froni
noxious plants, highly prejudicial to health.
The large wild Bees indeed collect from all
forts of flowers ; but their honey is dofpi-
C^ble.

c 1 1 . The

Of Pajlurage and Bce-Tkivers. 219

511. The following catalogue of flowers,
contains thofe only that I have ohferved the
Bees to vifit with any conliderable attention.
They are arranged according to the fucceflion
of blowing, except that feveral blow at the
fame time, and many of them vary according
to the time of fowing or planting.

512. Winter Aconite, Lauruftinus, Snow
Drops*, Hazel, Crocufes*, SallowS^Oziers,
Primrofes, Violets, Standard Almonds, linglc
Wall-Flowers*, Apricots, Peaches j Ned:a-
rines. Plumbs, Cherries, Pears, Turneps*,
all the clafs of Brafica or Cabbages, Cole-
worts, * &c. Goofeberries, Dwari Almonds,
Rofemary,""^"* Apples, Strawberries, Tulips,
May or W^hite Thorn, fleath,* Gofs, or
Furze, Star of Bethlehem, Borage**, Raf-
berries*, Laburnum, Columbine, Barberries,
Beans*, Syringoes, Sweet Briar, Muftarn,
Tares*, Clover, Spiked Star of Bethlehem,
Cucumbers, Greek Valerian, Bladder Sena,
French Willows*, Thyme**, White Pop- \.

pies. Mignonette**, Blackberries, LimeTree, ^ k^'
Hyfop*, Garden Eefl4^*, Nafturtium, Ladies V'yx^
Fingers*, Cats TaifsT^Sainfoin, Buckv/heat*,
Maples, Alders, Sweet Scabius, Suntiowers,
Spanish Broom, Starwort, Michaelmas Dai-
lies, Winter Savory, Paffion Flower, Jacob's
Beard, and the larger Ivy.

513. Thofe articles marked with a *
are fuch as prodjce the greatcft quantity of
honey or farina; and thofe with ** fuch as
afford honey of the highelt perfection.

514, If

220 Of Fajlurage and Bee-Flowers,

514. If this laft: was depofited by the Bees
in cells by itfelf, it would be in the higheft
requefb and of great value j but as honey
from inferior flowers is colledled at the fame
time, both forts are mingled together, and
form an aggregate in quality, proportionate
to that diverfity : therefore, glaffes fet over
boxes or hives, at the critical time, that is,
when the choicell flowers bloom, feem the
mofl: eligible method of colle(5ting the mofl:
of it as perfe(fl as it can be obtained.

515. Of the flowers here enumerated fome
furnidi farina, and others honey ; and fome
both. Farina is gathered very early in the
fpring, as foon as the Bees begin to breed,
and is continued to be coUedled until autumn^
whereas in general the honey-harveft does not
begin until late in ^he fpring, and is over early
in the autumn or before.

516. Farina is tliat fimple dqfl: or flour
found on the flamina of flowers, and varies
in colour according to the bloom from
which it is collected ; but in general it is
yellow. This the Bees brufh off, and form
into little balls, and flx into little cavities of
their legs, and carry into their hives, to feed
the brood with, while in the maggot fl:ate.
This is commonly thought to be wax, but
it is not fo ', nor has it any of the properties
of wax ; neither can it by any art that we are
acquainted with be converted into a waxy
fubftance. After many repeated boilings it
will not aflimikte either with the wax or the

\vat?r^

Of Pajiitrage and Bee-Floivers, i2\

water. Belides, was it wax a Swarm would col-
lect moft of it when they were firfl put into a
hive J the reverfe of which is evident, for
then they are feen to carry hardly any j where-
as in the Tpring, when a Stock can want no
Wax, they are feen to carry in the largeft
quantity of farina.

517. The country-people have given it the
appellation of Bee-bread -, they might rather
call it brood-bread j for there is no proof frorri
any of the obfervations that have been made
refpeding this fubftance, that the Bees i^z^
upon it themfelves. It is nioft probable that
theBees fwallow this fubftance, and conco(5t it
in their own ftomachs in fome degree, and then
feed the Bee-maggots therewith. Its proper
name \%Jarina\ and to prevent injurious mif-
eonceptions of it in pradlice, we lliaiJ con^
ftantly call it by that name.

518. The winter aconite is the firft blof-
fom that furnifties this farina > the fnow-drop
and crocus follow : after th^fe the fallows,
efpecially the white fallow, which will be
cloathed with bloftbms fo replete with this
yellow duft, that the Bees will clufter fo
thick upon them, as might induce one to
think a Swarm was goSng to fettle there.
Many of thefe n^ear an Apiary, muft be greatly
fcrviceable, as will alfo plenty of crocufles and

The whole clafs of cabbages, favoys, broc

fnow-drops ; as alfo Jingle wall-flowers. Vv"^ ^^

€oli, &c. if let run to feed, or to fprouts, ^A> \
will afford very feafonable fupply, when the ■'
bloom of othe;' plants becomes fcarce, Tur-

neps.

222 Of Pajlurage and Bee-Fiawet^i,

neps are ufefaJ. Almonds afford a moderate
quantity of farina; goofeberries yield more,
and ralberries exceed both.

519. The fruit trees afford honey of a good
quality, fo do beans, but not. in great quan-
tity : vetjhes or tares, and buckwheat yield
it in great plenty; fo does clover, but the
white forms the befl honey. Heath and broom
furnifh very large quantities, when hardly
any other flowers arc left. Spanidi broom
is much extolled by Bradley; but if the
Bees can find honey in other flowers, this
will be wholly negled:ed. . Rofemary blows
early and holds long, and is perhaps the firil:
aromatic plant that fupplies the Bei.'s v/itli
honey, and that of a line quality.

^70. But the two mofi iavourite Bee-plants
for honey are lemon-thyme, and borage. Le-
mon-thyme continues to bloom a confiderable
while, and furniflies a mod delicious h.oney,
for colour and fluidity like mountain -wine.
Large quantities of it may be planted for edg-
ings, as well in the kitchen garden and plea-
fure ground, as in the flower divifion. It
takes up but little roon:i, if properly trimmed
once a year.

521. This elegant plant forms a pleaflng
ever-green edging all the year; but when in
bloom the flight purple hue of its flower,
contrafted with its green and yellowifli foliage,
attracts the eye, while the organ of fmcll is
regaled, and the fenfes enlivened by its aro-
matic odours. At the fame time the jocund
Bees humming their joyful f:>ngs, rove irom

flower

Of PaJJurage and Bee-Floivers. 223

flower to flower through every walk, and
excite the moft pleafing fenfation in a mind
blefled with fympathetic fenfibility.

522. But of all plants BiJr^^^' feems mofl
devoted to the fervicc of the Bees, both on
account of its long continuance in bloom, and
the excellent quality of its honey. It well
deferves the figniiicant epithet o^ Be c-F lower,

52-^. It may be managed foas to flower from
earlyfpring to November, if no froft of confe-
quence fliould intervene. It affords plenty
of feeds, and if thefe be fown at different pe-
riods in any foil, the plants may be raifed fo
as to be in fucceflive bloom as long as the
weather will permit the Bees to colled: their
honey. From this plant they will gather at
all times, even when the atmofphere is fo
wet or cold as to deprive all other flowers of
their honeyed fweets. But thefe plants fhould
be confined to a particular fpot j for (bedding
their feed very fail, when once in the ground
it will be difficult to exterminate them. Thofe
fown by hand, or felf-fown, when come
up mull be thinned by an hoe in the fame
manner as turneps, to make them blow the
the flronger.

524. Mignonette is another Bee-flower, but
as I was not acquainted with it, as fuch, un-
til this year, 1 cannot determine as to the
quality of its honey : the Bees feem as fond
of it as of borage, and will gather from it as
long. It may alfo be continued in bloom until
the latter end of November, by fovving it at

different

224 Of Fafiurage and Bee-FlowerJ*

different times ; therefore, if the compafs oi
ground allotted for the Bee ftands be fown with
this or borage, and proper path-ways made, it
WodM be of fingular benefit to the Bees, and
afford no fmall pleafure to the fpedlator ; efpe-
cially if an edging of lemon-thyme be added^
and the extreme circumference planted with
rofemary.

525^1 have been lately informed of a flower
which grows on the borders of Hertfordfliir*
and Cambridgefhire, about Barkway and Roy-
fton, and is there called Cdts-tdils, It ie
found once in three years, according to the
labouring-people, from v^hoai I have receiv-
ed this intelligence, in very great plenty^ and
furniihes a prodigious quantity of honey, tho'
a very troublefome weed to the farmer. This
plant, however, is not confined to thofe parts^
for I have fmce heard of it in the fields about
this part of the country, though too late for
me to profit by the information. The befl
defcription I can procure of it at prefent is,
that from the root many round ftalks arife^
which afcer.d higher than the corn : thefe
lialks are rough, hairy, and in a fmall degree
prickly, and befet with brownifh fpots from
top to bottom. The leaves are narrow like
wall-fiawers, and are placed fingle one abo\e
another at fmall diftances on each (ido. of the
ftalks, and are of a pale green. The fta'ks
are furnifhed with branches all the way up,
which are about two inches in length, and
clofely let with flower-buds ; thefe ckcrtafmg
gradually tov/ards the end refemble a cat's

tail

Of Pafturage and Bee-F/owers* 225

tail. The flower-buds, at their fird appear-
ance, are of a purplifh colour, but afterwards,
when expanded, of a pale purple or blue }
and are nearly funnel-fhaped, with a purple
thrum. It blows in JunCj and^ I fuppofe, is
annual. From its producing fo large a quan-
tity of flowers in fucceffion, it would feem to
be a valuable plant for the Bees.

526. Perhaps, there may. be a variety of
green-houfe plants very acceptable to Bees -,
but as thefe are confined to gentlemens
feats, we pafs them over as not being of ge-
neral ufe.

527. There are feveral flowers mentioned
by fome authors, which are omitted in my
catalogue; becaufe I could not perceive the
domeftic Bees take any notice of them; not-
withstanding fome of them derive their ap-
pellations from the Bees, as mellilot, apium^
honey-wort, meliiTa or baulm, &c.

528. Lavender and baulm, though appa-
rently excellent Bee-flowers, were to my fur-
prife generally negleded, or vilited but very
Sparingly by the Bees.

529. The autumnal ftar-wort, or Michael-*
mas daify, are ferviceablc Bee-flowers. That
fpecies, however^ ftiled by Millar* the Italian
blue, and which he tells us is the Amellus of

Virgil,

* Gardener's Folio Di£ilonary^ Ci/lm.

226 Of Fafturage and Bee-Flowers^

Virgil, does not feem to anfvver to Virgil t
defcription :

** The flower itfelf is glorious to behold,
'* And (liines on altars like refulgent gold.'*

DrYDEn's VlRG IL.

An honour much too glorious for fo mean a
flower.

The root boiled in generous wine is what
Virgil prefcribes to reftore flck Bees. I be-
lieve it has no fuch virtue ; but as the falernian
wine elevated Virgil to fing immortal fongs,
it may probably have a cordial effeft on the
Bees. Good Englifh ale,' a liquor Virgil never
tafted, will however prove more falutary.

It is very likely that a difference of climates,
as well as of feafons, may occaiion a very con-
fiderable difference in the nature and difpo-
fition of flowers for yielding honey.

For it may be remarked, that though in
fome years the Bees will colled: from fweet-
briars. May, or white thorn, Greek valerian,
honefty, or lunaria, and fome others ; yet
.in other feafons they will not be feen to touch
them. This may arife from the peculiarity
of the weather, as to heat or co]d,moifl: or dry,
at the blooming-time of the above flowers.
In a very wet or very dry feafon, flowers
yield no honey. If the former happens while
the befl: flowers are blowing, the Bees mujl
colled: from very inferior ones, as their choice
is then limitted. They will be nearly in the
fame dilemma when tfeere is a long fucceflion

of

Of Pajiiirage and Bee-Flowers* 227

of very hot weather : for though the honey
collected at the firft opening of the blofToms is
excellent, yet the heat caufes thefe to dry and
fall off fo foon that the quantity is very
fmall.

530. Inftances are very common of lefs
honey being colledled (in fome iituations) than
was fufficient to fupport any Stock through
the winter : much lefs to afford any furplus
to the owner (571).

531. The ciftus labdanum hath its leaves
covered with a clammy kind of gum, from
whence I was induced to hope it might furnifh
the Bees with Wax ; but they never applied to
it for that purpofe ; the flowers indeed they
fometimes gathered from, though but feldom.
Nor could I ever obferve them to colled: any
thing from laurels, pines, or firs ; though
fome writers have alTerted that they colled:
their wax from thofe trees.

532. The great Boerhaave mentions their
gathering wax from the rofemary leaves. I
have many of theie plants about my Apiary,
and have frequently and attentively obferved
them, but never faw the Bees take any thing
from the /eaves ; the foivers indeed they were
greatly enamoured with, and enriched them-
felves with their nedar. How, where, or
from what they colled the valuable article of
wax, feems yet a myftery. I am inclined to
think that they fuck it from flowers into their
ftomachs, as they do the honey, and carry it
thus into their hives, and then apply it to the

intended

0.2

228 Of Pajlurage and Bee-Plowers, .

tended ufe, warm and pliable as it comes
from that organ. For in places where con-
(iderable quantities of white poppies bloom,
the combs made at that time are remarkably
"vohite, and extenfive combs will be formed
in a much fliorter time than ufual^ nor is this
remark wholly my own, feveral Apiatorshav-
ins noticed the fame.

533* ^hen there are large fields of white
clover, near an Apiary, and the bloom not cut
off, the hives will be filled in a fhort time.

534. Large woods near a Bee-ground are
df very great fervice : not only on account of
the plenty of farina they afford, but alfo of
the honey dews -, for there being a great num-
ber of trees fo near each other, a large quan-
tity of that article is neceffarily gathered in a
much {horter time than it could be from the
fame number of trees fcattered through the
diftance of perhaps feveral miles.

That the nearer and more plentiful all the
honey pafture is, the more journies the Bees
can make in a day, and confequently colledl a
larger quantity, is a propofition that feesns
felf-evident.

53^. It has been faid, that Bees will fly
three miles for pafturei be it fo; you will not
difpute, however, that if they had but three
rods or three yards, they would fill your hives
much fooner. If Bees will ufually fly fo far
for provender, how comes it to pafs that fo
many Stocks pcrilli for want, when it has
been well known that at half a mik diftance
they might have colleifled honey in plenty ?

or

Of Paftiirage and Bee-Flowers, 229

or how is it that poor Stocks on being re-
moved, not more than that diftance, have
prefently become rich, and filled their hives ?
I queftion whether they ever traverfe for food J Ji
in fpring or autumn more than a i^uartet of a
mile.

^1^6. In Egypt and other eaflern nations,
it has been a pra^flice to remove Stocks of
Bees in waggons or in boats from one place to
another, even to a very great diftance. As
fafl: as the flowers fail in one encampment
they proceed to another, through the whole
feafon. Something of this nature has been
attempted in France, where, perhaps, it may
have proved fuccefsful ; but from the infta-
bility of the Englifh climate, the advantage
arifing from fuch a fcheme here would not be
adequate to the expence.

^27' Whether it would be eligible to cul-
tivate a field or large fpot of ground, with
plants purpofely for Bees, is at prefent doubt-
ful, becaufe all the neighbouring Bees, and
numberiefs other infers, would become equal
fearers of the provifionj but notwithHanding
this; iftheincreafeof honey (hould prove con-
fiderably greater than it would otherwile have
been, and of more or even equal value with any
crop that might have been raifed on the ground,
it would be a very eligible praftice for many
farmer sto adopt ; not only as a valuable change
to many pieces of ground, but for the im-
provement of fuch as would otherwifc from
their natural poverty be good for little, and
yet might produce a rich crop of Bee-flowers,

0^3 viz.

203 Of Pajiur age and Bee-Flowers,

viz. Borage, buckwheat, fainfoin, tares, and
white clover. Buckwheat is often fown to be
afterwards plowed in as manure ; but by this
management it would be made of double ad-
vantage) as might alfo white clover, by letting
it ftand for feed, which is valuable and chiefly
imported from Holland. Sainfoin and tares
may likewife be cultivated for the fame pur-
pofe, and with a fimilar advantage; whereby
there will be a two-fold crop, one of honey,
from the flowers (which muftnot be cut) and
another from the feed.

538. It is referred to the judgment of the
experienced, whether the value of the honey
and feed would not be more than adequate to
that of mowing a particular field or two for
fodder. How far this fcheme may be gene-
rally pracfticable, I will not determine j but
at any rate it cannot be an unprofitable ftep to
appropriate, in large extenfive gardens, fome
poor or mean fpots for the cultivation of Bee-
plants ; for though other Bees will undoubt-
edly participate, yet from the greater vicinity
of the flowers to the Apiary, your own Bees
will colleft by far the greater lliare of honey,
&:c. being enabled by their taking fhorter
journies, to make much quicker returns; and
therefore, though you cannot reap the whole
advantage, you will certainly benefit confider-
ably more than if no fuch provlfion had
been made. Moreover, if the neighbouring
Bee - gardens be equally well furnifhed ;
'the advantage will be mutual, and the

Stocks^;

Of Pajlurage and Bee- Flowers. 231

Stocks of the whole circuit abundantly im-
proved.

539. One plant in particular, and to which
few people have anydiflike, deferves peculiar
encouragement, as it affords in the fruit a
very agreeable repaft for themklves, and in
the flowers for the Bees ; I mean the Straw-
berry, of which I have many beds ; they are
raifed high and laid oval : no pains are taken
with them, but drawing out any weeds that
may appear. Thefe plants, though growing
in a manner wild, afford as much fruit as
thofe upon which much time and care have
been beftowed.

540. One remarkable circumftance remains
to be unfolded ; which is, that of all the

fruits raifed by us, I know of none except the
amber goofeberry, that the Bees will feed on,
but of this, when left upon the bufhes until
dead ripe, they will devour the pulpy part
in the fame manner as wafp-^ do.

541. When Stocks have had an extraordi-
nary day of honey-gathering, they fecm as it
were to praife the Deity for his bounty, in a
full and joyful chorus, eafily diflinguifliable by
attentive Apiators, The fame may be obferved
when they have been fo fuccefsful as to have
filled their hives, great numbers having then
no more work to do, are (ten to frilk about
full of fport and play before their city gates :
but the idle and the epicure Drones undergo
a fad reverfe, a difmal fate ; for they mull
jiow no longer partake of that delicious food

C^4 whicii

g.j z Of Pajiurage and Bee - Flo wers.

which others have induflrioufly accumulated
with fo much toil and labour,

542» Water is abfolutely necelTary to Bees,
but as our climate is generally charged with
moifture and dews, there are perhaps but few
places that require any water to be fet on pur-
pofe for them ; except in a very dry feafon ',
or if there be no pond near the Apiary, In
this cafe the public feeding troughs (760)
filled with water, will anfwer the purpofe; or
broad Shallow pans filled with fmall rough
ftones, and the water poured among them :
Thefe will enable the Bees to ftand and fip,
without danger of drowning, which otherwife
they would be liable to. Ponds covered with
duck-weed are very convenient to the ^zts,
as thefc weeds will buoy them up fo as to en-
able them to lip with fafety.

543. Let us now endeavour to inveftigate
what number of Stocks may be kept, foas to
give the moft profit, and from thence draw
fome inferences with refpedt to the emolu-
ments accruing to the proprietor.

544. For this purpofe a review of what has
been faid by former writers on this fubjed:,
will furnifh us with fome ufeful information,

545. Rufden relates, ** That on the 21ft of
^* June 1677, a colony being weighed, it was
^* fifty-five pounds, and on the 28th of June
** it v/eighed eighty-five pounds, which .was
** an increafe of thirty pounds in feven days.
** But in the fame fpace of time a fingle Stock
?'^ or Swarm can feldom increafe five pounds,
^^ 'f h? rcafpz^i l^s the colony having but one

** brood

Of Pajlurage and Bee-Flowers, 233

*' brood, can fpare moil: of the working Bees.
'* But the Stock or Swarm having each of
** them a young brood, when the harvell: of
** Honey-Dew$ comes, they being feparate,
** cannot fpare fo many labourers, in propor-
** tion as the colonies j nor have they a fuffi-
** ciency of vacant combs to put the honey
** in, the chief part being filled with brood.
** Neither are the colony Bees obliged to go
** abroad in bad weather -, as are the Stocks
** or Swarms, whereby many are loft."

546. Rufden's boxes were ten inches high,
and fixteen inches over, on the outfide :
** One of thefe, (he fays) taken from a co-
♦* lony generally weighed fifty-fix pounds,
** while Stocks only weigh twenty-eight
'* pounds." (Here he is certainly miftaken,
I have bought many farmers Stocks, that
Jiave weighed forty-five pounds and up-
wards) : but he fubjoins, " Or a Stock that
** has not fwarmed forty pounds. A colony
** alio will have one fifth part more good
" honey : nor do they put their honey into
*' thofe cells that have had brood in, as
*• Stocks and Swarms are obliged to do."

547. ** But fuppol^ng the Swarm left as a
** balance to the worth of the colony (which
** it doth not near do) then the Stock taken
** up will not weigh half that of the colony
** taken off, befides the fuperior gocdnefs of
** the honey."

548. He obferves in another place, ** That
** he took fome colonics off that year of fifty-
** feven pounds, fixty-one, and fixty-four

** pounds

234 ^f Pafturage and Bee-Flowers.

" pounds weight each, fo that colonies turn
" out more than doubly profitable, and have
** more virgin honey than three ftraw hives."
He ufed three boxes to each colony.*

549. The Reverend Mr. Thorley mentions,
that in fome fummers he has taken tv^o boxes
from one colony, each v^eighing forty pounds,
and Ifft {lore enough in the other for their
maintenance (his boxes w^ere ten inches deep in
the infide, and the breadth twelve or fourteen
inches), difcounting therefore ten pounds, for
the weight of box and wax, there will be 6olb,
left for the proprietor, and the greater part
pure virgin honey. This gentleman's fon in-
forms us, that in a good feafon he has had (at
Ball's Pond, near Newington-rGreen) a glafs
globe filled m thirty days, containing thirty-
eight pounds of fine honey.

550. Dr. Warderj-f- of Croydon, gives us
no calculation of the profits of his boxes ; but
to thofe who keep Stocks in the ufual way,
his advice is worthy of remark. In order to
become a wealthy Apiator, he advifes, *' to
** begin with ten good Stocks, at ten lliillings
** a Stock ^though in iome counties they are

** much

* The word Colony cojiveys no idea of a Stcck of Bees, that
is kept from Jivarming ; hut quite the reverfe. Ji'Ju:!; hfs can
ive conceive that thereby is only meant a Stock raijed three
Jiories high. A Swarm might properly becaltcd a Colony, had
they no fiipreme head ; but the injhint they ore fettled^ they be*
come an independent empire.

\ True A/jwzons,

Of Pajlurage and Bee-Flowers* 235

** much cheaper). The firft year by douh"
" ling your Cafts, you will be able to have
** about twenty-five good Stocks, and the next
•* year about fixty, and the third year about
•* one hundred and fifty, barring cafualties,
*' and they prove good years ; fo that when
** you have railed this Stock, you are rich
** enough, if not over covetous. Should
** there come good weather, you may have
**' about one hundred and fixty Stocks to
•* take, which, at five fliillings a Stock, good
** and bad, comes to forty pounds ; a good
reward for the pains taken with them.

551. Here the woman with her bafket of
eggs, fpontaneoufly intrudes upon the mind.
This fpceulation feems the refult of the Doc-
tor's calculations in his ftudy j for it is much
to be queftioned whether fuch a rapid increafe
has ever been found in England.

552. However, I think we may fafely re-
mark upon the whole, that the fituations in
which thefe feveral gentlemen made thefe very
great profits, mufi: have been of the extraor-
dinary kind ', and withal but few or no Apiaries
in the vicinity to participate in the pafturage.

z^^-T^. The profefiTor Wildman has given us
no elHmates of this kind, and therefore I may
proceed to fay fomething of my own Apiary,
vvhich could never furnifli near fuch a quantity
of honey as above related ; nor will my fitua-
tion fupport more than eighteen Stocks, and
fome years not even twelve.

554. It mud be a very good year, and a
fcry good Stock, to afTord me a box of twenty-
five

23^ Of Pajiur age and Bee-Flowers,

five pounds. Nor will the run of Stocks in
this neighbourhood yield upon an average
above fixteen pounds of honey each.

K^^^, If by raifing your Stocks you are fo
lucky as to keep them from fwarming, the
number of Bees in each will confequently be
very great ; and fliould it prove a favourable
feafon for honey-gathering, a great quantity
will be colledled in a few days -y for as accord-
ing to the old adage,** Many hands make light
** work," fo two pecks of Bees in one hive,
will procure twice the quantity of honey than
if the fame number of Bees had been divided
into two hives. The more Bees together the
greater their profperity.

556. That colonies, or in other words. Story
Stocks well conducted, will yield far greater
advantage in every refpedt than common
hives, in iimilar fituations, muft be readily
acknowledged by every judicious perfon who
fhall have tried both.

r CT. But neither Warder nor Rufden have
given us any directions for difcovenng what
lituations are favourable for this prodigious
increafe; nor made any allowance for the
many dedudtions that muft be made for the
lofs of Stocks in the winter and fpring ; nor
for thofe years in which little honey can be
obtained -, nor for the unavoidable fwarming
of colonies, notwithftanding every precaution,

558. I am not converfant with heath
countries ; but it feems improbable, that
any of them can poffibly allow of fuch a
rapid and prodigioufly great increafe as.
Warder fuppofes. Our climate is too change-
able

Of PaJIurage and Bee-Flowers. 257

able and unfavourable for it. And if wc
have one good year in three for Bees, it is as
much, as upon an average, we can boafl of.
Themildeft of ourfeafonsare checquered with
too much variety to be very proper for this
nice bufinefs : fo that it may be iafely quef-
tioned whether Ruflia's much feverer clime,
fee not more propitious.

559. In Spring and Summer it frequently
happens that the day cloathed in the bright-
ell fplendor, and with its genial warmth glad-
dening the hearts of men and Bees, {hall fud-
denly become cold, wet, and gloomy. In
fuch inaufpicious weather the Bees, com-
pelled to flay at home, will quickly confume
as much honey as they had laboured for in
the preceding line days. Should thefe un-
favourable tranlitions be frequent during the
honey harvefl ; efpecially at the time of the
Honey Dews falling, farevvel plenty! Wantf
confuming Want, throughout the winter, will
be the portion of thefe ufeful and indullrious
infers ; and will inevitably deftroy them in the
Spring, unlefs timely relieved by the foftering
hand of charity (733, 752).

560. The Reverend Mr. White obferves,
that the village in which he dwelt, though a
large one, would only fupply ten colonies ; and
yet his boxes were lefs than a peck meafure.

This village was furrounded with beautiful
meadows and fine gardens. Whereas, in the
adjoining county of Cambridge abounding
with extenfive barren heaths, which allow
fcarcely any flowers to fpring up and blofTom j
there is fuch a profufion of honey, that he had
feen 70 or 80 hives in one farmers yard, even

juft

^3^ Q/" ^^J^ii^^i^ ancH^ee-Vhwefi.

juft after the burning-time. And tliis, not-
withflanding the inundations of the fens, the
farmers plough, or the numerous flocks, that
graze on thofe almoft barren heaths. To which
we may add, that the fame circumflances are
obfervable in Hampfhire and Wiltfhire.

561. The village from which I write has a
great affinity to that defcribed by Mr. White :
and yet, about a mile from hence, upon the en-
virons of a very extenfive common, and fkirted
with ample woods. Bees thrive amazingly.

562. Marfhy grounds are very unfavour-
able to Bees. I have known fome that did
not thrive on fuch, but on being removed
about a mile to a higher and drier fituation,
foon became ftrong and well repleniflied.

563. Should feveral neighbours vie with
each other, who fliall keep the mofl hives,
it will impoverifh the Stocks of all.

But although this may happen to be the
cafe in fome few places; yet England is in
general very thinly ftocked with Bees. Should
every farmer ?,nd cottager, however, keep a
few, all the honey and wax the flowers
could pofllbly yield, would be as regularly
colled:ed as the apples of the orchard, or the
wheat of the fields j and prove a great advan-
tage to themfelves,and the kingdom in general.

564. Molt of the cottagers throughout the
ifland, with a very fmall portion of trouble, and
at a very little expence, as has been fhewn, pro-
vided their Bees be managed properly miglit
half maintain their families by the profits.
Many of thefe labouring people keep poul-
try: which, though requiring both much

attention

Of Honey Dews. 239

attention and expence, prove but little advan-
tage to themfelves, and of great detriment to
the farmers. Bees, however, few of them will
keep, tho' demanding much lefs attendance,
much lefs expence, and yet, when properly
managed, will yield twenty times the profit.
How prepofterouily abfurd is fuch condud:!

565. Though in fome lituations very great
profits cannot be made : yet in all a profit
may be obtained fufiiciently adequate to the
time and expence beflowed on thefe induf-
trious fervants, bv their no lefs induftrious
and humane mafters and protedtors.

566. From the principles laid down, we
may infer, that the number of Stocks of Bees
mulT: be limited according to the nature of
the fituation: and that a place or diftridl may
be over- flocked in the fame manner as paf-
ture for fheep. For if twenty of thefe be
confined to a paflurage that will fupport but
ten, what elfe but poverty, leannefs, and even
death can be expected. So, if an Apiator
keeps twenty Stocks of Bees, though he finds
year after year, many die in winter for want,
and the rell but fcantily provided ; it mufl be
folly, not to tike the /jmt, and reduce them
in future to half the number.

CHAPTER XVI.
Of' Honey Dews.

567. ' B ^H E Honey Dew is not a liquid

J[ depolited by the air on the leaves

©f plants, as is generally fuppofed : For then,

like ether dews or fo?s, it v>ould fall on,

and

540 O/' H o N E Y Dews.

and adhere to all forts of plants indifcrl-^
minately , whereas, it is found only on a
fiw particular plants ; and on them but
partially, for the young leaves afford none.

568. The oak, maple, fycamore, hazle,
and bramble, are, as far as I can fin-d, the
only plants on which it is found. Neither
is it difcovered like other dews, early in the
morning : But fome hours after the fun has
fhone with its'greateft fplendor, that is about
ten or eleven o'clock ; and continues, more cr
fewer hourSj in proportion to that fplendor^
For cloudy, dull days are incompatible with
Honey Dews. This fubflance is as tranfparent
and as fweet as honey, and is in fa(5l, perfecft
honey, attra(fi:ed through the pores of the
leaves, by a peculiar fultry heat ; particularly
when refleded through clouds. Sometimes
it is found on the leaves in the form of little
drops or globules. But at other times being
more diluted, by the greater moifture of the
atmofphere, it covers the leaves, as though
they were fpread with a fine fyrup.

570. The time in which thele Honey Dews
are generally found, is from the begining of
June to the middle of July. But it wilivary
in proportion as the weather is wet or dry ;
which will occafion them to be either fooner
or later. The hotteft and dried fummers,
produce the largeft and mofl frequent Honey
Dews. in cold and wet feafons, few or
none of them are to be 'i.i:.^Vi When the
year is backward in its fruit, it betokens that
the Honey Dews will be late alfo; fometimeSi^
even fo late as the middle of harveft.

571. Butk^

Of Honey Dews. 241

571. Butler has a remarkable obfcrvatioii
upon this fubjecft ; Honey Dews he fays,
were in the year 16 17 produced two months
after the uTual time. There having been a
long continuance of wet weather, no Honey
Dews were found until the latter end of
Auguft ; which proved exceedingly hot. But
the quantities were fmall and of little fer-
vice. For the Stocks when taken, proved
light : and mod of the Stocks and Swarms
that were kept, died for want, before the
€nd of winter ; excepting only in the heath
countries ; were the heath being then in
full flower, afforded the Bees that plenty of
honey which could not be obtained from
the Honey Dews.

572. Whenever a Honey Dew is found,
the Bees are fo extremely eager to fetch it,
that they quit all other work, that their re-
turns may be the quicker and more nu-
merous ; and left a gloomy change fhould
deprive them of the precious prize. No
harveft fwain, dreading impending ftorms,
can be more anxious, or expeditious, in
haftening the houling of his crops than
thefe aerial tribes in this their delightful
office; fo much fo, that thronging in too
great nutnbers at the door-way, they joftle
and tumble ench other down. And fmart-
ing woe to thole who fhall thoughtlefsly
(land in their way at this important crifis.
Their joy on thefe occafions, is expreffed in
fuch inceffant and loud notes, as to be heard
at a great diflance. By thel'e tokens it m^y

R \ be

242 Of Honey De w s.

be known there is a Honey Dew, without
feeing the trees from which they gather it.

573. The Bees of fuch Apiaries as are
far diftant from thofe plants that produce
HoneyDews, cannot colled: near the quantity
that thofe can that are near. Gardens in par-
ticular, feldom furnifli plants of this fort.

574. A very furprifing fource of honey
was obferved by the Abbe Boffier in France.
This he tells us, the Bees colledled from the
excrement of a fmall infedt called a Puceron,
vulgarly a loufe, infefting the bark of fome
particular trees; fuch as holm-oak and the
lime. In the middle of fummer they fur-
nifh the moll: of this excrementitious fweet ;
In the Autum (tho' that is the time the Bees
have moft need of it) but little, and of in-
ferior quality to honey gathered from flowers.

£■75. As 1 was ignorant whether any thing
of this kind had ever been noticed in England,
and as there are both oakand lime trees on my
premifes, I have from year to year, very at-
tentively obferved them ; but could never
perceive any fuch appearances as defcribed
by the Abbe ; I mull: therefore leave this
matter to be afcertained by fome one who
ihall be more fuccefsfully inquifitive.

C PI A P.

( 243 i

C H A cP T E R XVII.

JV

^be Met /jod of Separating Double Hives or
Boxes j and of taking the Honey-Combs^
and Hives in general -, with many Ohferva^
tions and Pr^e cautions relating to Stocks
during the Sufimer*

576. T_T A V I N G accommodated the Bees
JTx with the moft convenient and pro-
per necelfaries for the growth and prefervation
of their families, and increafe of their treafure,
it is but reafonable that as a requital for this
tna'uble and expence, we participate with
them in the profit , therefore to (hew how to
obtain this to the greateft advantage, is our
prefent talTc.

Syj' Stocks that have emitted Swarms, in
general will not afford an extra box or hive
of lioncy that fummer; nor can it be exped:-
ed from Swarms 3 unlcfs in both cafes the
Bees be very numerous (a peck at leall), of
the fcafons and lituations very good.

578. The profperity of a Stock depends
much upon the Drones : for if thefe be de-
ficient in number, or not born until late in the
funimer, the increafe of your Bees will be
R 2 proportionably

244 Separation of Hives, ^c.

proportionably limited : on the contrary, if
they be too numerous (418, 580) they will
devour the honey fo fall that the Workers
can hardly keep 2i Jingle hive fupplied, much
lels fill an additional one (B30).

579. When the Drones have been too few
in a Stock, Ihave watched their coming out
from other StocKS that feem'ed to have too
many -, and taken fome of them away with
my finger and thumb. I have putia dozen
or two of thefe, having previoufly cut off one
of their wings, or wetted them, to prevent
their flight, to a dronelefs Stock, where they
were kindly entertained. The Stock pre-
fently afterwards was greatly improved.

580. On the contrary, when they are to^
numerous, they may be deftroryed by the fin-
ger laid on them as they rile from the refling>
board (582). Great dilcretion however is ne-
celTary, lell too many be killed; for this wiU-
prevent a proper increale of young; and alfe?'
the Queen's being fufficiently impregnated to
produce a brood the next ipcrhg.

•581. When their numbers are moderate,
the working Bees themfeiv>es will dellroy
them the latter end of July or beginning of
Augud 'y according as the fitafon may have
been: for about this time honey-gathering
failing, and the Queen having no further oc-
cafion for their fervices, a general malTacre is
ordered; though fometimes ti)isis not execut-
ed all at once, but gra'^ually. Heaps of llain
may be ktn before fome hives, while before
others very fevv, the refi: being expelled.

This

Sep ar at ton o,^ Hives, ^c, 245

This only protra<5ts their fate a few days, whea
famine, inexorable famine, terminates their
exiftence. At this fatal period the Workers
keep guard at: the door -way, that none
may re-enter their once blif^ful habitat'ons.

582. Sometimes it happens, though the
inftances are but few, that the Drones are fo
very numerous that either the other Bees
would not, or could not attempt any vio-
lence againd them -, in confequence of which
fo much honey is devoured in autumn as to
impoverifh the Stock, and occafion its de-
flrudiion.

583. To remedy this evil, v/hen the other
Stocks kill their Drones, quietly place your-
felf by the fide of the door-way, in the
middle of a fine day, and crulli every Drone
with your finger as they pafs out or in. By
this means a grtat number may be killed in
a fhort time ; but it muft be done without
flurry or hurting any of the Workers ; for
fhould this be done, though by chance, it will
enrage them (o much that it will be bell to
leave them a while, and to refume the tafk an
hour or two afterwards. Or a piece of wood
may be fixed before the door-way, and a part
of its bottom edge cut out deep enough to ad-
mit the Workers, but not the Drones : thofe
that happen then to be out mull: remain (o. In
the evening, the working Becs being all
within the hives, the Drones that arc without
fide may be eafily dellroyed. The board
mull then be taken away, and re-fixcd in the
courfe of the next day, and \r\ the evening

R 3 the

246 Separation of Hives, ^c»

the fame operation is to be repeated. Two of
three times will probably be fufficient to
deftroy the whole ; or, at leaft, lb leilen their
numbers as to give the working Bees a great
fuperiority, and encourage them to deltroy
the now ufelefs Drones,

584. But ij) general the killing a few by
the hand, will excite the Workers tofinifli tlie
cruel but neceffary buiinefs. Sometimes the
feparating of double hives- will have the fame
effedt ; the djilurbance putting them in a
paflion, they will vent it upon the defencclefs
prones,

^'^t^, Thofe Stocks that foonefl expel their
Drones, will increafe greatly in honey, and be
the boldeft and firongeil: in defending them-
felves againll all their enemies : and alio gene-
rally produce the earlieft Swarms.

586, It being now time to reap the reward
of all our care and patience, it becomes ne^
cellary to give fuch information as will en-
able the Apiator to know when a ftraw-hive
is full, and lit to be taken. To judge of this,
lirike iu the evening with your fingers al4
round upon the hive ; if at the firfl or fecond
ftroke a great noife is made, and continued
for a confiderable time, you may be fure it is
full of Bees ; and if upon ftriking all round
the hive, ^nd near the bottom, it feels folid
to your ftrokes, you may conclude is it alfo
full of honey : on the contrary, if it founds
hollow, it is not full, and muit remain longer,
or even until honey-gathering be over. When
the ^t^^^ on :(lrJiking make but littk noife, and

that

Separation of i^wES^ &c, 247

that only for a fiiort time, it {hews there are
but few : nevcrthelefs if it has ligns of being
full of honey, it (hould undoubtedly be taken;
for if permitted to ftand, it may be alfauJted
by robbers in the autumn, or the Bees may
perifli by cold in the winter.

^"6-7. When a box is placed under another,
and fomc combs are made therein, the Queen
commonly ceafes to lay her eggs in the upper,
and begins to depofit them in the under box;
about three weeks after which time the upper
ftory will be deltitute of brood. It is not
however to be then taken, becaufe time muft
be given for the Bees to fill the vacant celU
with honey; and alfo, nearly to fill the under
box for their winter fiore : otherwife, the up-
per full one being taken av/ay, fhould the
honey harvert prefently fail, the Stock will be
left unprovided, and muft perilh through fa-
mine before the next feafon.

588. But the Queen will continue often to
lay both in an under and upper box or hive;
being very unwilling to leave her old familia-
rized apartment. When hives therefore are
taken with brood in them, great circumfpec-
tion mufr be ufed in feparating thofe parts
of the combs that have brood ; thefe mull:
be put into an empty hive, and placed over
or under the Stock, as may appear moll
convenient. In boxes or hives witn win-
dows, it may be known in v.-hich of them
the Queen is, by introducing the Aiders as
foon as an additional one becomes full. Leave
them an hour or two, in which tiuie, if

K 4 either

24S Separation 0/ Hives, (^c,

either of the boxes have not a Queen, the
Bees of that Box will be in the utmoft hurry
and confufion : but if there happens to be a
Queen in each, the Bees of both boxes will
be quiet, and the additional one may be taken
off and kept as a Swarm. If there be only
one Queen, and fhe in the old bottom hive,
Hop up the door-way, and withdraw the
Aiders, which will induce her to afcend,
and make the upper one her refidence ; but
for greater certainty ftop the bottom door-
way, when a box is firfl Itt on -, this will not
give the Bees any extraordinary labour j for
their way will be as fliort down into the box,
as up by the door-way. If after all flie is
flill in the old box at taking-time, drive the
Bees into an empty hive, and fetting the door-
way of that againfl: the door-way of the vir-
gin box, they will unite without further
trouble.

590. I have taken at the latter end of Au-
guft, both the under and upper hives of a
Stock that had been raifed three flories, which
yet had brood and farina in both, the upper
and under door-way being left open ; and the
fame in other years, though the upper door-
way was clofed up. Therefore fuch large
flraw hives as have been raifed, had better be
left until the ufual time of taking, as then there
will be the lefs rilk of their having brood.

591. 1 lie reparation of hives or boxes,
when ftored with honey-combs, is the mod
difficult part in the management of Bees.
This has given nie no little perplexity for

feveral

Separation ^ Hives, ^c, 249

feveral years ; as I endeavoured to find out
a method, not only of performing this very
difficult operation with eafe, but alfo with
little or no additional expence. After a va-
riety of experiments, however, I was fuc-
cefsful enough to hit upon three methods of
operating, all of them fufficiently pradlicable,
and which I here offer to my reader's choice.

592. The implements ufed in the firft
method are, a double tin-pL^te made fixteen
inches long and iixteen broad, by having
a flip neatly foldered on, and as even and
fmooth as pofiible ; one end of it Ihould
be turned over a wire that it may not hurt
the hand, when (hoved between the hives.
Or milled iron, of the thicknefs of the
tin, may do. Alfo, two faws, of about
four or five inches wide, which are elaf-
tic, and at the fame time of a proper fubllance
for our purpofe, without carting. A cloth
to throv/ over the hive, an empty hive, and
alfo a chair-frame, pail, tub, or the like;
Should all be in readinefs.

593. If it be a hive or box that is to be
taken off", juft after dark, flop all the door-
ways and thruft in the lliders to the under
hive; then fhove the tin-plate between the
upper and lower hive, as gently as poifible,
and if it is not in a houfe, keep your left
hand in the front, to prevent the hives from
Hiding out of their place. Thrufl the faws
under the plate, one on each fide, until the
edges are even with thofe of the tin. Lift
up the whole togethei*, at the fame time ex-
tending

2^6 Separation ofHivLS, ^e.

tending your fingers as much as pofTible un-
der the faws, to keep them dofe up to the
tin both before and behind in order to pre-
vent its cafting, or being hollow : which it
will do without the faws, and thereby would
let the enraged Bees out, in great numbers,
greatly to your and their prejudice, all which
the faws prevent.

594. As foon as it is taken off, fet it
ieifurely upon a board or hive floor, and
take it to fome out-houfe ; then turn it up-
fide down, upon a pail, &c. floors tin and
faws altogether, without loofening them in
the turning -, take off the board with one
hand, at the fame inftant extending your
other hand over the faws and tin to keep
them clofe down, until you have placed an
empty hive with the door-way previoufly
flopped over it. Keep them Heady while
you withdraw the faws, then holding your
left hand firm upon the hive with the other
drum about four or five minutes, then take
away the tin, and drum again until you hear
by the buz that the greater part are afcended.
There is fome nicety in the management of
the faws, but a little pradice will make it
very eafy : and what is more, not a Bee can
come out to hurt you. Tho' on perufal this
may feem tedious and difficult, yet I have
felt more difficulty in giving this defcription
than in the performance itfelf.

595. If there be any brood in the comb|,
thefe are to be cut out, and fo placed in an
empty hive, which has bars or openings, that

when

Separatkn of YiwESy &c, 251

when the hive is inverted the combs may lean
Planting againlt the Ijdes, and not flat againft
each other. The hive is then to be placed
over the Stock. If there be any fragments
of <:ombs or honey upon the top of the
Stock, they muft be fcraped off firft, and
then the Aiders withdrawn. But when there
is no occafion to (Qt a hive over the Stock the
cover is to be fastened on before the lliders
are taken out.

596. When a hive is taken off, it fliould
not be carried near the dwelling-houfe, for
the next day the Bees will come in great
numbers to fearch for their ftolen treafure,
and be very troublefome vilitors ; many of
them will be alio loft in the purfuit.

597. This operation may be performed
in the day-time ; but the Bees that are re-
turning home, feeing the difturbance, will
become clofe enquirers of what is doing ; as
will alfo thofe of the other ftands, fo that
one or two Stocks will be the moft any one
can polTibly manage without being armed
cap-a-pee. Boxes in a houfe, may however
he taken by day-light without much in-
conveniency.

598. In order to render the faws unnecef-
fary, plates both of iron and pewter have been
tried i but to preferve their evennefs or level
when ufed, they were obliged to be made
fo thick, that on introducing them between
the hives, the Bees were c:reatlv more en-
raged, and at the fame time had ample op-
portunity of iffuing out upon the Aplator.

The

252 Separation of Hives, &c.

The tin-plate, being fo thin, readily cuts Its
way and feparates the combs with greater
nicety and with lefs umbrage, than can be
done by a knife or any other inftrument ; at
the fame time confining the Bees as it paffes.

599. If a bar three inches wide be fixed
in the middle of the bottoms of the hives^
correfponding to the middle bar of the tops ;
it will render the tin-plate unneceflary -, for
the faws, when thruft in at the fides, will
reach to the bar, and thereby clofe the whole
bottom up. But that end of the bar that
is to be next the door-way, muft be fpread
dove-tail ways, and be bevilled down to a
feather edge, otherwife it will flop up the
door- way.

Goo. My fecond mode of feparation is
performed by a thin wainfcot board ; which
mud not be thicker than a quarter of an inch.
It is to be of the fame dimenfions as the tin-
plate (592). At one end a thin fliorp piece
of iron or flip of tin is to be let in, and faftened
down, but mufl extend or projeCi about half
an inch beyond the board. To this mull be
added a piece of coarfe linen, eight inches
wide, and fufliciently long to go round any
hive or box you ufe, and leave about i]x
inches over: At one end of this cloth, and
near the edge, a wire hook is to be fixed, in
order to fallen it and keep it tight when ex-
tended round the hive. This is the whole
of the apparatus.

60 r. When about to ufe it in taking ofF
or feparating a hive or box, let the cloth Jdc

previoufly

Separation ^ Hives, &c. 253

previoufly made pretty danijD ; then flopping
up the doOr-ways of the Stock you would
fepai^ate, draw the edge of the cloth round
the fkirt of the hive, within one or two
rounds of its bottom, and faften it tight
with the hook. The intention of wetting the
cloth is, that whenever the hive be lifted up
it may drop evenly down. An affiftant is
then to lift the hive up, (firft giving it a lit-
tle twift, to loofen the combs from the un-
der hive) jufl high enough to admit the
boards being flipped under it. In doing which
great care muft be taken, not to Aide it
againft or to intangle the cloth, but to pafs
freely under it, the bottom edge of the cloth,
hanging upon the board as it pafles. By
this means, though the hive be lifted fo high
that the Bees might eafily efcape, yet the
cloth, like a hanging curtain, falls upon the
board fo clofe all round, as to prevent their
pafTing. The chief nicety of the operation
is in the f rfl introdudion of the board : Be
careful therefore to lift up the cloth a little
and clap the end of the board to the join-
ing, where it is to be introduced j fet down
the cloth upon it; the affiflant is then to
proceed as above Qire(rted. As foon as taken
off it is to be treated in the fame man-
ner (594).

602. But it would be better if this
board be made fo as to receive a brafs-
wire net- work about ten inches fquare, with"
the mefh not wide enough for a Bee to pafs
through it, and let into a r^bbett, and tacked

thereto

^54 Reparation of Hives, ^c,

thereto with flips of tin to keep it faft' arrcJ
fo as not to rife above the level > it will then
be very convenient for the infpedtion of fuch
hives as have no windows ; for by fetting
the board upon the frame of a chair, oi'
ftool, by the fide of the ftock, then flopping
up the door- way of the hive, and lifting it
off upon the board, you may eafily peep un-
derneath and infped: it as long as you pleafe
with the greateil fafety. Or you may turn
it upfide down, to infpet^l it. After .you
have fatisfiecj your curiofity, the door- way
is to be unftopped, and at night the Stock
placed on the ftand again. Or, it may bs
lifted thereon as foon as you have done.

603. It may like wife ferve for the fame
purpofe in afcertaining tlieftrength of Swarms,
and in purchafmg Stocks or Swarms. So that
confidering the very trifling expence of this
whole apparatus, its fmiplicity and extenfive
ufefulnefs, together with its great durability,
when taken proper care of, it may perhaps
with juftice be eflcemed the bed adapted for
performing the fcparation by day-light, and
as perfedt as the dcfign will poffibly admit of.

604. But thofe who do not choofe to be.
at this expence, may have cloth of fufficient
dimenfions to draw uver a hive, with a circle
of about ten inches cut out of the middle j
and any kind of net or open work, that vvill
not permit the Bees to prifs through, fewed
therein , this will anfwer every purpofe, ex-*
cept jl'paratioii,

605. The

Separation ^ Hives, ^c, ^55

605. The lad procefs we {hall particu-
larize furpalles even the foregoing, both in
the facility of the execution, and as re-
quiring no expence for inflruments.

In order to feparate an upper hive, on the
preceding night clofe up the door-way with
a rag ; and then run a thin long knife between
the hives, as far as you can, fo as to loofen
the combs from the under hive. This in-
deed will fomewhat irritate the Bees ; but
their anger will fubfide before the next night;
and the operation will be greatly facilitated
by it. The next night lay a cloth upon the
ground before the Stock you want to fe-
parate, and ftop up the door-way with a
rag ; then have a board or loofe floor ready
placed by the fide of the Stock ; and, after
thrufling in the Aiders, give the hive a little
twift, lift it up, and fet it upon the board
Of floor. Immediately with a knife or piece
of tin, fcrape from off the bars fuch Bees
and pieces of comb, as may be thereon, to-
wards the front of the hive ; fo that they
may fall on the cloth. By this management
the loofe Bees will be preferved. The cover
is then to be put on as quick as poflible, and
the Aiders taken out; and the hive that
is taken ofl^, to be removed to an out-
houfe. In the fame manner treat as many
more as you want to feparate ; ^tting them
in rows, or marking them firft, that you
may readily know to which Stocks they
refpedively belong.

606. In

256 Separation £/' Hives, ^c.

606. In the morning, take the fir/l and
drive them into an empty hive ; and as loon
as this is done, flrike them out again upon
a cloth placed before the hive they belong
to ; one end of the cloth being alfo tacked
up to the refting-board, by which they, will
crawl up, and re-join their companions.^
Then proceed to the fecond in the fame
manner, and fo of the refidue,

607. But if the operation be performed
in fine fettled vi^eather, inftead of removing
them into an out-houfe, turn them upon
their fides, (upon chairs or the like) with
their bottoms or open ends to touch the refi-
ing-boards of the Stocks j and before morn-
ing moft of the Bees will have deferted their
own hive and got to the main Stock, with-
out driving, Thofe that have not, mufb
have a cloth thrown over the^ii, and be taken
to a confiderable diflance, or to an out-houfe
and drove (372). It will be necefi^ary to
obferve the rules relating to the probability
of there being feparate Swarms among them
(401.)

608. Here I would remark that aiter fe-
paration, the Bees are io terrified, that when
turned put, they will readily pafs into an-
other empty hive and there remain feveral
days, until their terror is abated, though no
Queen be with them. Nor will Bees quit
a hive ftored with honey or brood when fe-
parated, unlefs by force j or by being left
feveral days, in which time much of their
honey will be confumed by them; or by

neigh"

Separation ^ Hives. 257

neighbouring Bees, Wafps, &c. fo that force
or llupefa<5lion is the only eligible method.

As thofe Bees which eicape during the
operation, will clufter together about the
place where it is performed, they fhould be
gently bru(hed off as often as they fettle :
but if this be not done, they will return
home either the fime or the next night.

609. l^ under hives are to be taken, lift
off the whole together, and fct them on a
proper fupport clofe by. Then placing a
frefh floor on the ffand, lift up the upper
hive, and fet it thereon. The hive left,
muft be managed as thofe before-men-
tioned (607).

610. Should a Stock be fo full of Bees,
after having been feparated, as to lie out, fet
an empty hive over them until the latter end
of September -, at which time great part of
the brood having quitted their cells, and the
nights being alfo cool, they will all readily
go into the under hive -, the empty one
fhould then be taken off.

611. It mufl: be very obvious to perfons
converfant with Bees, that nothing fo much
enrages them, as being robbed of their well-*
earned treafure ; confequently to attempt it
at a time when they are mofl vigo-
rous and irritable, even in the face of
the fun ; muft be attended with much
more difficulty and danger than v/hen they
are furprifed in the chill of the night, and
under the malk of darknefs, and when they

S are

2^S Separation of Hives,

are incapable of feeing the invader. The bu-
finefs alio is generally over in this cafe
before they are recovered from their confler-
nation.

6 1 2. Collateral boxes are feparated with
more eafe than ftory boxes, as having bars and
Aiders to each ; whereby the Bees are fo con-
fined that not one can come out. Butifaloofe
bottom frame be made to the ftory boxes
with biars fimilar to thofe of the top (124),
there will be no pre-eminency in this point,
on either fide ; for in both ways, unlefs very
great care be taken to cement the joinings,
the moth will certainly breed between, and
endanger the Stock.

613. It is poffible that by fome mif-
management, or accident in feparating, the
Queen may be killed j (though I have fcldom
met with fuch a mifchance). This may
be difcovered by the tumult of the Stock Bees
In fnch a cafe it will be beft to unite them
to fome weak Stock, if it happens not to be
later than the middle of July, that they may
have time to replenifb the hive. But other-
vACe, unite them to a well furnifhed Stock
for the winter.

614. I have tried to take honey in a fimi-
lar method to that of the Greeks, as related
by Sir George Wheeler. This on reading
feems indeed vcvy fimple and eafy ; but who-
ever (liall make the attempt v/ill certainly
find it both extremely troublefome and dan-
gerous i and indeed not to be done, unlefs

Separation of Hives » 259

Cfomp\e2Lt]y armed. But inftead of any of
liefe methods, that of ftupefaclion, before-
mentioned (389) may be ufed j as the Apia-
tor fhall find moit eligible and agreeable to
his own ideas.

615. Whoever would wifh to make the
mod of their Bees, fhould never let them
be in want of rooHi -, for whenever addi-
tional hives feem full of honey and crouded
with Bees, they muft be taken off, and
others, or glalfes, fet on, as long as there is
plenty of honey pafture, that no part of the
honey harveft may be loft. Whenever Bees
croud about the door-way, and feem idle
(after fwarming-time is over), it is a fure
lign they want enlargement.

616. In common hives this advantage is
intirely loft, efpecially, where the fituatiori
is very good, and the feafon favourable i for
when the hive is once filled, the Bees can
do no more ; and therefore, take their plea-
fure and are very joyous. Many country
people, have not even the fagacity to raife
them by an ekeingor lift, (499). Nor indeed
can thofe cots that have fhelves one above
another, admit of it, if they had the inclina-
tion. So ill contrived are thofe receptacles
for Bees.

617. It is of great confequence to know,
or obferve, when the Bees have done honey
gathering ; for that muft be the general time
of taking up hives in the common way, as
alfo from all thofe that yet remain doubled,

S 2 . on

26 o Separation of Hives ^

on the Improved plan. For as foon as
the flowers decay, or ceafe to yield their
lufcious fweets, the Bees will begin to feed
on their hive honey -, and particularly thofe
in the doubled ones on that hive which
they do not intend to be their winter ftore.
And fliould there be many Drones left at that
time, a great deal of honey will be confumed
in a very few days. No gormandizers at a
turtle or venifon feaft, can be more voracious
than the Drones are at this time.

6 1 8. About the beginning of Augufl is
the ufual time of failure, efpecially if a good
deal of rain happens to fall then. But as
our feafons vary, fo will the time for the
•eafmg of this bufinefs. The fummerof the
year 1779 being hot and dry, the flowers
were exhaufted long before the ufual period 5
therefore Stocks fliould have been taken,
near a month fooner than moft of them were;
(the heath countries excepted). This was the
reafon that many Apiators had not near
the honey they exped:ed -, becaufe they had
let their Stocks fland until great part was
eaten. For the Bees will confume more
honey in the firfh five or fix weeks after
colled:ing is over, than during the whole
winter; unlefs it prove very mild.

In fome former years I have perceived the
Pees begin to eat the honey out of the new
combs in my boxes, and out of the glaffes that
were over them, as early as the 25th of July.
The country people are greatly deceived in

this

SeparatioJi ^HiVES. 261

tills matter j for feeing the Bees continually
carrying in a yellow fubftance upcn their
legs, they unjuflly conclude their flore is
increafing, whereas it is quite the reverfe;
this fubltance being only to feed the young ;
and as thefe are continually increaling until
Od:ober, fo much the more honey will be
confumed, without the leaft advantage to
the owner. For thefe very young Bees, as
well as the old, are all to be fuffocated to-
gether ; however late the time of taking
miy be. A pradice as abfurd as it is un-
profitable !

619. Through the windows of box hives
may be readily feen, when the Bees begin
to empty the cells of their honey j which
will be a profitable advice with regard to
all the refl:, if the Apiator be provident
enough to attend to it. But it is more par-
ticularly important to thofe that deftroy their
Bees. For the longer the Stocks fland in
thefe circumftances the greater will be the
diminution of the honey j not only by the
old Bees, but alfo by the continual hutching
of the voun^ : which continues even ib late
as Oiftober. But in the double mode, the
detriment is perhaps not great; as all the
young Bees are faved; whether taken up
early or late (588).

620. The following rules and precautions
fhould be obferved in taking up the blocks
in autumn.

621. Take up all that are more than two
years old, for the combs after that time will

S 3 become

262 Separation of Hives.

become black and foul, by being the re-
ceptacle of feveral repeated broods. Great
p. rt of them ai-e alfo crammed with ftale
and ufclefs farina, which altogether caufes a
hive to feel heavy, which when taken yields
but little honey, of a very bad quality 3 and
fo fmall a portion of wax as hardly to anfwer
the extradion. Old hives are alfo very fub-
je(5t to the moths, which deflroy many Stocks
tvery year. The Bees offuch Stocks may be
drove and added to other Stocks ; or drove
into one of thofe hives vou have taken of the
prefcnt year, that is pruperjy filled with
honey.

622. In thefe particulars the double me-
thod has -.'Mo a great fuperiority ; for by fo
frequently i'hifting the hives, the combs are
never old and black, nor fluffed with ftale
farina and other impurities ; confequently
yielding more wax and honey, and of a purer
quality. For the impurities being interfperfed
among fo great a number of cells, it is next
to impolfibie to procure the honey without
fome mixture of fach heterogeneous matter.

623. Take up all Stocks that are light, and
that are neither full of Bees or honey.

624. The greater the number of Bees in a
hive, the larger mufl be the quantity of honey
to fupport them until next feafon ; confe-
quently a hive full of Bees, and but little
honey, muft be tahfi ; or both Bees and honey
will be loft.

625- Stocks in autumn that are full comb-
ed down to the floors, fliould be taken: one

fuch

Separation of Hives, 263

fuch is worth three or four others, nor will they
be fo proper to ftand , for, being quite full of
honey, in the fpring there will notbevacant
cells enough to depofit the brood in; and there-
fore though the Stock in fpring niay be rich in
fweets, yet it will be but poor in Bees, and
confequently not likely to fwarm that feafon ;
or if it diould, the Swarm will be late and
inconfiderable. In our double method no fuch
inconvenience can arife ; becaufe another hive
can be furnilhed them in the fpring as foon as
they feem to want it.

626. When a wet fummer makes honey
fcarce, keep the bell: Stocks: but after a dry
and plentiful one, a moderate Stock will prove
beft for flore.

627. No Stocks fhould be left, unlefs three

parts full of honey, as near as you can guefs. sf). I-
The Bees of thofc Stocks, which have not jUr^
quantity, fliould be incorporated with others
that are well provided.

628. To judge of the weight and fullnefs
of hives, obferve the directions (586) ;
this may alfo be fufficiently well judged of, •
by polling them in your hand; by whlch^
method, after a little expererience, you will be
enabled to make a proper eftimate. A me-
morandum may likewife be made of the
weight of an empty hive or box, floors and
all ; by which means the weight of a Swarm
or Stock may at any time be known to a great
nicety ; firfl flopping up the door-way to keep
the Bees in, and then weighing the hive.

S 4 629. Several

264 Separation o/" Hives.

629. Several weak Stocks fhould be united
into one, and placed in a good hivefof honey,
which will both fave the Bees, and form an
excellent Stock for the next year j for weak
Stocks generally perifh in the fpring. Though
I have known inftances of weak Stocks fituat-
ed near a large common, Ikirted by woods, and
with few others Bees in the neighbourhood,
that have profpered , and the enfuing fpring
proving early and favourable, have fent out
large Swarms 5 however, it is by no means
prudent to truft to fuch contingencies,

630. It may be taken for a general rule, that
the more fcanty your pafturage, or the poorer'
your fituation, fo much the more populous
and richer, fhould the Stocks be that are left
for the next year. Cafts in general are never
worth keeping ; but fhould be united at lirfl
(366) : however, if inadvertently any are
landing in autumn , they are to be drove out,
and incorporated with other Stocks 3 but as
their combs are virgin, and great part empty,
they fliould be carefully preferved as decoy
combs for your glafies next year. Thefe fl:iould
be wrapped up in paper, and depolited in fome
dark but dry place ; otherwife the moth wi^l
get to them, and eat up the wax. Or fome
of the hives may be preferved, being clofely

•flopped up, and taken care of as above-men-
tioned. Thefe will excellently ferve for ad-
ditions to your old Stocks the next year ; for
the Bees finding fo much ready-made furni-
ture, will more certainly quit their old habi-
tations,

631. If

Separation of Hives, 26^

631. If a bee-keeper refides in fuch a fitua-
tion for pafturage, as to admit of keeping a
large number of Stocks, and is defirous of fo
doing, he muft obferve to leave ftanding all
thofe each year, that are proper for it, until
there be the number wanted.

632. In the double method not only this
{hould be attended to, but alfoy not to raife
or doable your hives until they f(^'arm, or at
leafl not bi:foie it be too late for them to
fwarm with fuccefs j or in cafe of much lying-
out. From hence it naturally follows that the
profits mull be very limited, until the delired
increafe be made; but when that point is
once obtained, there will foon be ample in-
tereft for all the trouble and forbearance.

633. If Stocks are left double until autumn,
the Bees will gradually afcend into the upper
box or hive, as faftas they confume the honey
of the lower one, and in proportioa as the
weather grows cooler. At this time no Bees
will guard the door- way, and therefore cither
the box muft be taken, or the lower entrance
flopped up, and the upper one opened ; other-
wile wafps or robbing Bees will invade and
ruin the Stock. From the fame principles
the Bees of a common ftraw hive, that have
been fet over a Stock inverted or turned up-
fide down, will dcfcend therein at the ap-
proach of cold> provided there be but one
Queen in both.

634. Bees greatly decreafe in autumn and
winter. A great many that were bred in the
Ipring oj: in the preceeding autumn, die of age;

others

266 Separation ^ Hives.

others of hard labour, cold, and a variety of
accidents j fo that hives which were very full
of Bees in the latter end of fummer, by Novem-
ber appear very vacant; nor will theyceafe di-
minifhing, till a frefli brood begins to reple-
Difh the deferted cells. This (hould feem a
convincing demonflration of the necefjity of
faving the .Stock Bees, when the honey is
taken, inftead of fufFocating them. For thefe
hives contain as many young Bees as thofe you
preferve ; and when both united together,
form a very populous Stock for the fpring;
even after the inevitable decreafe, by a natural
old age. Some prejudiced people, however,
will always (hut their eyes againil the cleareft
light !

t\^. Weak Stocks may at any time be
flrengthencd by Cafts, or by holding a large
niouth'd bottle to the entrance of a very po-
pulous Stock, when gently flriking the hive
numbers will be in a hurry to come out, and
fo be catched therein. As foon as you have
crot a fufficiency, cover, the mouth of the
bottle with a paper, having air-holes in it ;

, at night fix the mouth of the bottle to the
mouth of the hive you would repleni(h, clof-
ing up all other openings ^ the Bees v^^iil foon
Guit the bottle to enjoy more comfortable ac-
commodations ; or by fetting fome honeyed

■ combs upon a hive floor, and an empty hive
over them, great multitudes v/ill be attracted
to feed : when there is a company adequate to
your intention, ftop the door-way, and thus
ccnfiiie them until night. Take the hive gently

up

Separation (j/* Hives. 267

up, for the Bees %vill be coUeaed at the top,
fet them over or under the Stock you wifli
to ftrengthen, and the next morning or even-
ing take away the empty hive.

636. It is worthy of remark, that when by
age or any accident a Queen dies, the Bees of
that hive commonly quit it,and join themfelves
to fome other Stock : but to make themfelves
the more acceptable they gradually take the
honey from their own hive, and carry it as a
prefent to their new alTociates. That fuch an
accident has happened to a Stock may be
known by a clear and uninterrupted hum-
ming of the Bees in the hive ^ by there being
a great croud at the entrance (provided it is
no't fwarming-time)i by their feeming melan-
choly and indolent; by their not carrying any
farina ; and appearing not" to fight or quarrel.
^ 637. Upon any fufpicions of tbds kind yoii
may by attentively obferving, readily difcoyer
to which of your Stocks they are carrying
the treafurej for in this cafe the Bees of this
■ Stock will be k^n in an unufual hurry, and
precipitately going in and out in great crouds.
You may either permit them to continue car-
rying off the honey ; or if the queenlefs
Stock be your own, poife it in your hands,
and if you judge there be honey enough left
worth taking, at night remove it to an out-
houfe, and if there be any Bees in it, drive
them out into an empty hive, and fet it clofe
to the Stock, mouth to mouth, and they will
unite with the Stock before ^morning, other-
wife you would lufe all the honey.

• 61Z. But

268 Separation of Hives,

63S. But if the hive be heavy, full of
^ees, and perhaps a large brood, and if the
Queen has not been long dead, it will be
prudent to preferve it. This may be done if
it be at a time, that fome of your Stocks can
fpare a young Queen, or even a royal cell
fealed up, which being put juft within the
door-way will be received with the greateft
pleafare, and will immediately encourage
them to proceed to their work, again. But
otherwife, fet the hive over a weak Stock to
incorporate with it.

639. All Stocks however do not defert
their hives on this melancholy occafion ; but
will continue to work, though very little,
and with no fpirit ; and will gradually de-
creafe, until at laft none are left j or perhaps
before that period, will become a prey to
robbers.

640. If a Queen dies, though feveral
weeks after a fwarm is hived, they ufually
defert their hive, and return to the mother
Stock, tranfporting their honey with them.

641. As many country people, notvvith-
ftanding all that has been faid, or all the
arp^uments that can be ufed, will yet remain
obilinately blind to their own intereft, and
annually deftroy their Bees ; therefore, that
we may not be accufed of a fond partiality,
we fubjoin the pernicious method.

642. Prepare a few rags dipped in melted
brimftone 5 thefe, at night, are to be fet on fire,
and laid in a hole made in the ground near
the bee-fland. The Stock is then nimbly to be

taken

Separation ^Hives. , 260

taken ofF and fet over the fuffocating fume,
which in a very {qvj minutes deilroys the
lives and happinefs of thoufands. A few
ilrokes of the hand, will caufe thofe that
ftill hang among the combs to fall ; which
concludes the dreadful cataftophe !

Alas ! ill-fated Bees ! doomed to be vic-
tims of your own induftry !

643. The cruelty of this pradice, the
poet has adverted to, with fuch pathetic
energy, that I feel myfelf conftrained to
tranfcribe it.

644. " Ah fee where robb'd and murder'd, in that pit.
Lies the ftill heaving hive ! at evening fnatched.
Beneath the cloud of guilt-concealing night,
And fix'd o'er fulphur : while not dreaming il].
The happy people, in their waxen cells,
Sat tending public cares, and planning fchemes
Of temperance, for winter poor; rejoiced
To mark, full flowing round, their copious ftores :
Sudden the dark oppreflive fteam afcends :
And us'd to milder fcents, the tender race.
By thoufands, tumble from tlieir honey 'd domes,
Convolv'd and agonizing in the duft.
And was it for this you roam'd the fpring.
Intent from flower to flower ? for this you toil'd
Ceafelefs the burning fummer- heat's away ?
For this in autumn fearch'd the blooming wafle.
Nor loft one funny gleam ? for this fad fate ?
O man ' tyrannic lord ! how Ion;;, how Ions:,
Shall proftrate nature groan beneath your rage,

A wait in''-

270 Separation of Hives*

Awaiting renovation ? JVhen ollig'd,

Muji you deftroy ? of their amhrofial food

Can you not borrow ; and in juft return,

AfFord them fhelter from the wintry winds ;

Or, as the fharp year pinches, with their own

Again regale them on fome fmiling day ?

See where the ftony bottom of their town

Looks defolate, and wild j with here and there

A hclplefs number, who the ruin'd fiate

Survive, lamenting weak, caft out to death.

Thus a proud city, populous and rich.

Full of the works of peace, and hio-h in joy.

At theatre or feaft, or funk in fleep,

^As late, Palermo, was thy fate) is feiz'd

By fome dread earthquake, and convulfive hurl'd

Sheer from the black foundation, ftench involv'd.

Into a gulph of blue fulphureous fiame."

Thoms'on's Seasons.

645. But to countenance this yearly maf-
facre, a very plaufible reafon will be retorted
npon me. That as Bees live but a year, to
what purpofe keep an old or lafl: year's Stock
which will die of tbemfelvcs, tho' we do not
deflroy them ? A hive of Bees may be com-
pared to a city, whofe iniiabitants con-
lidered^;?^/}/ have a limited and ihort duration,
but the City may continue populous, for a
thoufand generations. There is a continual
lucccfiion of births, as well as of deaths.
So is it with the city of Bees, in which, at
the ufual taking-up-time, there are Bees ia
every ftage of life; from infancy to mature

old

Separation o/' Hives. tyi

old age. And are in this refped:, upon
a par with any Swarm you have. The walls
of their city indeed, being made of flraw,
foon decay, and their combs, after two years
become black and foul, and detrimental to
their future profperity. But the Bees as a
collediive body, will perpetuate their fccieties,
like every other clafs of creatures, as long
as the world endures.

646. But here it may be afked, if we
are never to deftroy the Bees, what is to be
done with them, when we have as many as
our fituation and paflurage will fupport ?
Whenever you become fo fortunate, augment
each Stock, by re-uniting the Swarms again to
them (379). By which means your Stocks
will afford you a very great increafe of virgin
honey, or of glaffes of honey of high value.

647. When Stocks are fo populous as to
contain in each of them, as many as three
good Swarms, it is as many as will thrive
together in one hive ; therefore if you have
ftill more Swarms,, unite two or three of
thefe to form one Stocky and fhould you
have too many Swarms ; cither fell the7n, or
fome of your Stocks, or, obtain permiffion
to fet them in diftant gardens. For un-
favourable feafons will come, accidents may
happen, and your home Stocks be diminilhed
and want a reinforcement.

648. Lallly, there is one way, fuper-
eminent in wifdom and beneficence ; raUier
than expofe your fnperfiuous Stocks to a need-
lefs . and barbarous burning, give ihem to

fome

2/2 T^he Bees Enemies*

fome of your poor, but deferving neighbours,
who live at fuch a diftance as not to interfere
with the pailurage of your own Stocks. So
will the hungry be fed, and your own hearts
exult in the pleating joy of conferring a benefit
on a deferving family, and faving the lives
of thoufands of fuch induftrious infers.

CHAPTER XVIII.

OflFafpSy Mice, and other Dejlroyers of Bees,
with the Means of Prevention,

649. '""W^ H E Bees, like many other wor-
J[ thy and induflrious people, are
often plundered of their well earned wealth,
circumvented in their honeft labours, and
robSed of their peace by the idle, the vi-
cious, and the envious.

Of this wicked fraternity, the Wood-
pecker or (as fome call it) the Tree-creeper
ftands foremoft, feizing them without mercy,
as they are gathering farina from off the
fallows, in early fpring.

650. The Sparrow and that voracious and
daring bird of fuperftition, the Robin Red-
breaft, will peck them off the flowers, or
even (as I have often fcen) fland upon their

refting

^he Bees Enemies, 2y^

refling boards and feize them as they
iflue from their hives. Swallows catch the
Bees as they fly and carry them to their nefts.
Thefe birds fliould he deftroyed by the gun,
by limed twigs, or by giving a few pence to
children to take their nefts.

651. The moiife is a very formidable
enemv in the winter, deftroying a Stock
prefently ^ to which he is often tempted, by
the large and deep gafhes injudicioufly made
by country people in the edges of their hives,
by which he is admitted without obllruc-
tion or difficulty. But where this ;s not the
cafe, he will endeavour either to enlarge the
entrance, to make a frelh opening in the
ikirts, or fome other part, or make a lodge-
ment over the top, under the hackel, and
there form his nell; and by degrees gnaw
a way through into the center of the hive,
for the more ready fupport of himfelf and
young. Therefore where hackels are ufed
(pans are .^,ot lo liable to this incoiu'enience)
the tops and flirts rtiould be often examined.
The door- ways Hiould alfo be leilened, by
pieces of wood, cut to proper dimenfions,
or by plaifter or clay, thereby rendering the
entrance too low for them, as well as flugs
or fnails to enter.

652. But if your Apiary be much infefted
by mice, traps (hould be fet ; or a kitten,
reared and fed therein without being fuf-
fered to come into the houfe, will at the
fame time keep the mice from your Stocks,
and the birds from your grounds, and there-

T by

274 ^'^^ Bees Enemies,

by not only preferve your Bees but alfo your
garden feeds. The kitten, however, of any
cat indifcriminateiy will not do. Cats, as well
as men and monkies, have a diverfity of ta-
lents, adapted to different purpofes : there-
fore chooie one from a dam famous for birds
and field mice, and let the kitten remain
with her mother long enough to receive
her inftrucftions, and to profit from her ex-
ample. There are few quadrupeds but
what give their ofi'spring an education,
fuitable to their fituation in life : whether
all bipedf do fo too, I pretend not to de-
termine. Bendes, the amorous parley of a
congrefs of cats on a ftarry night v/ill prove
highly terrific to this whole fpecies of vermin.
65 3 1 V/hen thofe flow movers, the Hugs,
blunder their way into a hive, it is by mif-
take and not by intention; (for their tafte
is not fuited to reliOi fuch fweets) and their
company is as difdgreeable to the Bees, as
that of drunkards, or a debauchee, would
be to a fociety of angels ; however as thefe
fimple infeds do no harm, they will in time
find their way out again. I have often feen
them againft the windows of my boxes, but
pever found any, either dead or alive, when
the boxes have been taken up,

654. Hornets in fpring, will watch the
coming out of the Bees, and deftroy them.
But as thefe fierce infeds are fev/ in number,
and fcarce, unlefs they be neftcd near the
Apiary, they feldom do any great damage.
655.J \Vafps are extremely dangerous at

the

T^he Bees Rncmlcs. 275

tlic latter end of fummcr, and in autumn.
AWafp is much llronger than a Bee; lb mucli
ib that one will dilengage himlelf from two
or three Bees, and probably with the death
of one or two of them. They are very bold,
and will frequently get into a hive in fpite
of all obIl:acles, and at the greateft hazard, but
are generally either killed or efcape loaded
with the choicell .honey. But when the
weather grows fo cold that the Bees cannot

CD

keep guard, numbers will then get in and
devour a oreat deal of honey, as well as
many of the Bees -, and fiiould the Stock be
weak, will totally deftroy it.

656. The winter's wet and cold generally
kill many of the Mother-Wafps, while iii
their torpid llate. If the fpring alfo be wet
and cold, it hinders their breeding, and
caufes the brood to be few and late. Should
the beginning of April be warm, and after-
wards, cold and flormy, it will prevent their
coming out for food, and mod part of them
will be flarved to death -, freeing the Bees
from the danger of them that year. Nay a
continuance of wet, thougli without cold, io
fpoils their nell:s, that few VVafps will be it^n
'till the middle of September. But a mild
winter, when fucceeded by a hot anddry fpring
and fumn^.er, will fo favour their mcnafe,
almoft in every place, that, without diligent
attention, many Stocks will be ruined by
their depredations.

657. Tiie heft time to prevent a great
ncreafe o. thei^p mifciuevious infedts is in the

T 2 fpfhig

276 T^he Bees "Enemies,

fpring ; by killing the Mother- Wafps, in
March or April, when they firft make their
appearance, among old timber and buildings,
to colled: fmall ihivers of the wood to form
their nefts with. They alfo vifit the goofe-
berry and currant bufhes about that time.
By deil:r'..>ying One then, you in fact cut ciF
a whole brood. For all the common Walps,
or Workers, die in the autumn, leaving
only the females, to renew the Ipecies the
next year.

658. Phials of fugar and ale hung about
the places of their haunts, will attrad their
notice, and allure them to their deftrudlion.
But thefe mud net be placed among your
Bees, for they alfo will then fip and die;
therefore, Vvherever you fet the phials,
they mull be v^ell looked after, and li the
Bees are obferved to vifit them, they muft
be removed further off, or ftopt up, until
honey gathering commences : at which time
the Bees uill be in no danger ; at leaft not till
the latter end of the fummer when a? young
Wafps beginning then to be very numerous,
many perions very imprudently place phials
of lugar and ale among their bce-flands, there-
by inticing ail the Walps of the neighbour-
hood into their Apiaries. This however
fliould be cautiouily avoided as above dircded.

659. Perhaps a piece of liver, or fweet
fruit put into the bottom of a long necked
bottle, would be moil eligible 3 the Bees,
not liking fuch entertainment, will then

be in no danger.

670. It

The Bees Enemies 2jy

670. If Wafps are (ctn to attempt any
Slock, efpccially in autumn, contratl the
door-way by a piece of tea lead or tin, pierced
with holes, and fallened thereto, leaving
only about half an inch for the paiTi^ge of
the Bees. For a few in number can defend
a fmall pafs againrt a mighty hofl. But
lliould the Bees feem remils and not fufii-
ciently courageous to do their duty, thruft a
fmall twig feveral times into their hive j this
will rouze and irritate them, fo as to make
them vent their fury upon the Wa/ps ; and
the Apiator too if he does not make a
nimble retreat.

671. Wafps nefls {hould be fought out,
and as many deliroyed as pofTible. For a trifle
boys will do it by way of diverfion. The
bell method of doing it, is to take half an
ounce of gunpowder, wet it jufl fufiiciently
to make it Itick together to burn without ex-
plofion, limilar to what the boys call a wild-
lire. Put it into a paper, rolled up like a
quill, of about a finger's length : leaving one
end open. It mufl be made up but a little
while before it be ufed, or it will grow too
dry. A little before night, or very early in
the morning, when ihe Wafps are all at home,
examine if there be any more palTages to.
their nefts than one, and with a clump of
earth or fod, flop them all up but one,
and have another fod in readmefs to iiop up
that alfo. Then with a match fct tire to the
end of the fquib, thrud it dircdtly into the
hold or mouth of the nell:, and immediately
ilop it up with the fod as dole as pofTible,

T 3 that

>*.

28o T^he Bees 'Enemies.

that none of the fume may efcape. In
a few minutes the Wafps will be all fuffo-
cated, bat will recover again in a fliort
time if expofed to the air; therefore for
the greater certainty, the neft Ihould be dug
up with all expedition, and either burnt or
buried. The neft may be dug up whole, as
a natural curioQty wortby of notice. Some
nefts may be very exteniive, and will there-
fore require double the quantity of guji-
powder. If two ounces be ufed, and all
the paflages well clofed up, they will be fo
effe(^tually fuffocated as to rife no more. Tlie
young brood of the nefts, will furniOi an
excellent entertainment for poultry, or for
iifii, if thrown into the ponds. The tops
of their nefls are often within half a foot of
the furface, but Ibmetimes not within a foot
Or foot and a half.

672. Or a hole may be made juft over
the top of their nefts, and a large quantity
of water poured therein lufficient to drown
them : Boiimg water will quickly and effec-
tually deftroy them, either in the ground, or
among thatch, or in hollow trees. In fitualions
where the ofher methods cannot fo con-
veniently be purfued, fmoke and the fumes
of brimftone may be introduced, in order to
didodge or fniother them.

673. Hornets hang their nefts to the eves,
raftersy beams of barns, out-houfes, or in hoi-
lov/ trees. They are of a globular form, the ex-
ternal partofwhich,li!<etliatof thewafp's nefts,
is compofed of the fibres of wood, and much

^^.ieinbics courfe greyilh paper. As they are

more

7 he Bees Enemies, 2j()

more formidable and dangerous than Wafpr,
fo their numbers are proportionably fmaller.
The beft way to effed: their deftrud:ion is to
take a bag large enough to flip over their neft,
the mouth of which fliould have a running
fhring, whereby it may eafily be drawn clofe
together*

674. On a rainy day or night, gently draw
the bag over the neft lb as to take the whole
in, and immediately draw the firings tight, fo
that the neft and hornets altogether be faft in-
cluded in the bag, which fliould be direftly
immerfed in water, and remain an hour or
more j after which it may fafely be taken out,
the neft pulled to pieces, and the hornets
bruftied off and buried ; but the cakes that
have brood in them, as well as thofe of Wafps,
if given to your poultry, will prove a delicious
feaft.

675. The next enemy to our induftrious
Bees, is a large moth called the Wax-Moth, as
the maggots proceeding from it devour the
wax for their fuftenance. The mother of
thefe infed:s, is extremely attentive to difcover
every crevice, chafm, or hole about a hive,
efpecially about the I'kirts, as a proper nefts
for her eggs. Should Ihe not prove fuccefs-
ful about the externals of the hive, fhe will
watch an opportunity of flipping within, and
of doing it there. The eggs foon become a
large, white, and voracious maggot, which
fpins over itfelf a defence, and annoys the
Bees. The maggots continually incrcafe and
confume the combs, until at length they pof-

T 4 fcfs

28o T!he Bees Enemies*

fefs the principal part of the hive, and the
poor Bees perilh with famine, or are obhged
to fcparate and feek new habitations. Old
ll:raw hives are very fubjed: to the depreda-\
tions of thefe infedts, having fuch inviting
harbour for them. Boxes are not fo fubjedt
to be infeiled with them as hives, efpecially
if the crevices and joinings be carefully {top-
ped up with any kind of cement : but neither
boxes nor hives in the double method are li-
able to fuffer much from thefe deftroyers -, for
being fo often fliifted, they have not length
of time, even if they get in, to prove very
formidable. Which is another proof of the
advantages of our changing open method.

676. However it is very proper, as a great
prefervative from vermin, that all hives and
boxes in the fpring and autumn be now and
then lifted up, the edges rubbed and the
floors cleanfed ; or, if the floors be" moveable,
exchanged for frej(h dry ones. The beft time
to do it is early in the morning ; when the
Bees are chilled and drowfy, it may be done
io nimbly as to be finilhed before they
have recovered themfelves enough to molcli
you. This is particularly needful in the
fpring, as foon as the Bees feem brifk : as dur-
ing the vy'inter there will be a colledion of
crumbs of wax, dead Bees, that perhaps
have died of age, and other hlth ; which, if
not removed, will annoy the Bees and hinder
their work.

(>^']' Wood-lice are alfo great deftroyers of
Bt'cs. Bee-ltands, cots or houfes, that are

made

^he Bees 'Enemies, 2S1

made of old decayed wood, harbour nnd en-
courage their breed. Old timber or old
hedges, near the hives have the fame bad ten-
dency. During the cold of the winter and
fpring they will breed in the combs and con-
fume the honey. They fliould be often fought
for. and killed.

678. Earwigs are nightly plunderers ; they
can enter by a very narrow chafm ; and con-
ceal themfelves in a very fmall fpace. They
ileal in at night, drag out Bee after Bee,
fucking out their vitals, and leave nothing but
their fkins, as fo many fcalps, emblems of
their butchery; thus gradually diminilliino-
the Stock, while the i^piator is oftentimes
ignorantly wondering at the caufe. Wh«n
the fliells of Bees are perceived about
a Stock, it fhews the pernicious bufinefs is
begun. Search for the nefts of the ear- wigs,
and kill them. Clofe every crevice that may
have given them admittance : the edges of the
hives and rioors, and every part of the liands or
houfe muft be bruftied and made very clean.
Let^no ilravv, rags, or cloth remain about the
hives, for thefe infeds prefcntly conceal them-
felves and lettle therein : and continue to
fearch for them every day, fo long as any
mangled Bees are found about the hive.

679.Thehives andhoufes (hould hkewifcbc
often brullied, and kept particularly free from
fpiders v.ebs. Tiiis requires to be done al moll
every day during the fummer; or many of the
Bees will be intangled in thefe fatal nets, and
become vidims to thefe folitary devourers.

6S0. Snails-

( ^S2 )

6^0, Snails and Slugs (liould often be
fearched for, and taken av/ay ; and nothing
left about the hives to conceal them.

68 1. Cleanlinefs is an article of confe-
quence in the prefervation of Bees, as may be
feen by the many enemies with which they
are encompalTed. Their increafe and prof'
perity therefore, may rationally be expeded
to be in proportion to the care taken of them.

Riches feldoni flow Into the lap of indo-
lence ; but the hand of induftry fliall be re-
warded with plenty.

CHAPTER XIX.

Of theh' Wars and Robberies, and Direct
tions how to terminate or prcoent th&m.

682. A MA ZI NGl can fuch epithets be
,XjL applicable to the induftriousBces?
Yes, it cannot be concealed,that in fome parti-
culars,thev but too much reiemble the rational
Jpecies. But which are moll to blame ? Let
the philofopher and the divine determine.
I am only a champion for the Bees, and hope
to exculpate them.

la

Of their Wars, G?<r. 283

In their own habitations, and among
their own communities, as well as when at
their labours. Bees are as pacific as a monk ia
his cell : but if pinched with hunger, at a
time when no provifion is to be got by honcji
indujlry^ they become dclperate and furious:
** Hunger, (according to the old proverb)
" will break through flone walls :" The
Bees, thus lituated, will turn robbers rather
than die. But among the rulers of mankind
can this neceflity be pleaded for the deluge
of blood fo frequently fpilt? Alas I no!

683. Bees are never poor through want of
provident care, or through indolence, on their
own part ; but frequently from a long con-
tinuance of inclement weather, or from fwarm-
ing too latey or through an infufficiency of
numbers. When by fome or all of thefe
caufes, they have been prevented from re-
pleni(hingL' their hives in time, they confult
upon furnilhing themfelves in an expeditious
manner, by befieging and plundering the
caftles of fome of the neighbourhood.

684. Being determined upon the point,
fcouts are fent out to obtain intelligence, and
others as fpies, who if pofiible are to ^et in
undifcovered, and to make the proper obfer-
varions of the force, flrength, and treakire
of the Stock to be attacked. At firll the
fpies are very timorous, trying to pitch here
and there, and fometimes fettling at the door-
way to make obfervations, and then are upon
the wing again. The invaded Bees at the
fime infiant, if they are flrong in force, will

endeavor r

284 Of their Wars, ^c,

endeavour to feize and difpatch them for
their infolence; from which time a ftrong
guard will always be kept at the entrance.

685. But if a few have been fo fuccefsful
as to get admittance, and tafte the fweets
with impunity, the next day they will form
a regular attack in full force. In confequence
of which, a mofc fatal Icene of war and
flaughter will enfue. All is fury and tumult :
kill or be killed is the dreadful alternative.
Thoufands on both fides piefcntly lie dead
or dying ; nor does night put an end to the
conflidt. Day after day, the bloody con-
teft is renewed, both within the hive and
without. For the invaders will never give
out if they have once penetrated fo far as to
open the fealed combs. In this cafe nothing
but fury, defolation and death is to be it.tw
throughout the whole domain. -One only
circumflance excepted -, which is, the death
of the Queen of the invaded Stock. This the
enemy knows, and therefore to make fliort
work, the boldeft of them endeavour to rufh
upon her as foon as poffiblci in this at-
tempt great numbers fall vid^ims to their
ralhnefs ; but whenever any of them reach
her, fhe is intlantly ilain. A truce is now
immediately founded by both armies, and hof-
tilities fuddcnly ceafe, an alliance is made, and
the vanquifhed Bees afiift in tranfporting their
own treaCurc to the caiUe of their invaders.

686, Sometimes however, the Queen, and
a few of her fubjedts, efcape^ leaving her
city and treafure in the polleffion of the con-
querors.

Of their Wars, Gfr. 285

querors. Sad reverfe of fortune ! bereaved
of every thing ! v/hat expedient can fave
them ? famine or fighting is the deplored
alternative. The lall, as the lefler evil, is
preferred. They become in their turn, a
fet of lawlefs rovers. Seeking therefore an-
other Eee-garden, they endeavour to re-
taliate their cruel treatment on fome of thefe :
and in the attempt will furely die or con-
quer.

687. Will the fenate decree a civic crown,
to him who rtiall point out the method of
terminating thefc ruinous wars and faving a
Queen.

6R8. Crown or no crown, we will try
our ilvill. Whenever flrange Bees are {tzx\y
trying to Aide in':o a hive, the door-way muft
be contracted to half an inch, as a narrow paf-
fage can be eafily defended by a few againft
a great number. This is beft done by flips
of tin or ted-lead perforated with holes; and
having a paiTage cut out at the bottom of
half an inch in length, and faftened to the
hive by a nail at each end : or, by a piece
of elder flit and the pith taken out -, two of
thefe are to be placed in the door-way, the
refc plaiftered up with clay or cow dung.
Then thruft a twig \vX.o the hive, to roufe
the anger of the Becs, to make them keep
guard. But if notwithflanding this, the next
day more Grangers appear, flop the hive
quite up, leaving only fome air-holes.

689. By thefe means, both the true and
falfe Bees will be kept out 'till evening, when

thofe

2%6 Of their Wars, ^c.

thole of all the other Stocks are go.ne to reft:
at which times the falle Bees that are with-
out will return home; then unftopping the
hive, if any falfe be within, they will alfo
iilue out and depart, and your own Bees that
were kept waiting without will enter.

690. Feel the weight of your hive, and
if in good condition and fufficiently (locked
with Bees, you may venture to let it lland a
fiege the next day, provided the door- way of
it be flopped very early the next morning,
fome time before any Bees are yet abroad.
In confequence of this, the enemy Bees, as
faif as they come and are attempting to enter,
may be knocked down with a piece of thin
board, or the like, and killed, by a perfen ap-
pointed Oil purpofe : this is . to be continued
without intenniffion, fo long as any of them
appear. In about four, five, or fix hours,
according to the number, the whole will
be delb'oyed. After waiting an hour longer,
and no more are perceived to come, your own
Bees may be let out. This confinement will
make your own Bees furious againfl any fu-
ture aiiault.

691. But fliould a Stock be afTaulted, and
the fight begun before you are apprized
of it, immediately Itop the door-way up ;
and at night, if you find it poor and weak,
unite it to Ibme other Siock (3B0), taking care
to preferve he brood (^88); for being fo
much weakened, it will hardly lurn to any
account in ftanding, or will mofl likely fcilia
prey to fome other invaders.

When

Of their Wars, ^c, 287

When a Stock is befet day after day, it is
a fign that the robbers have tafted deep of
the nedtar; in this cafe it will be beft to
take it, if light, and to drive the Bees and
unite them to another hive. But if weighty,
let it ftand, and kill the robbers. If they
are not killed all in one day, two or three
days may be taken, keeping the Bees flopped
lip all the while. But it will be beft to
iinifh them if poffible in one day, left in
revenge for their difappointment they (hould
fiill upon fome of your other Stocks. A good
method to prevent it, is to irritate all your
other Stocks h'j thrufting a twig into each
of their hives.

692. When a Stock has been alfaulted,
but prefently becomes quiet, and great crouds
are obierved going in and out, it denotes the
death of the Q^ueen. If this Stock be not im-
mediately ftopped up, all the honey will be
carried away. In the evening unftop it, and
about an hour afterwards, the Bees will
have all quitted it, and what honey they
have left will be at your fervice.

693. An attack by robbers may be enfily
known by the number of dead Bees on the
ground before the hive, as alfo by the crumbs
of wax about the entrance of the hive, and
by the Bees therein being in an uproar and
confufion. Thefe battles of the Bees are more
or lefs.. violent in proportion to the num-
ber of Bees invading or invaded, if the Stock
be weak, and the robbers numerous, vic-
tory foon follows the firil aflault.

694. If

2S8 Of their Wars, ^c.

694. If a St(\ck happen to be without
a Queen, it makeb but a feeble refiftance, or
oftener none at all, which is alfo the cafe
when late in the feafon, and the weather
cold : For this occalions the bottom of the
hive to be left vacant and without a guard
at fuch times an half inch door-way will be
fully fufficient.

695. As foon as robbers begin to fhew
their evil defigns in a Bee-garden, the Bees
of all your good Stocks will conftantly keep
guard at the door-ways. Thefe are known to
be fuch, by the unufual number of Bees
therey at that feaf jn of the year ; and by
their being withdrawn as the intruders dif-
appear. One year my Bees were obliged
thus to defend their ports for near three
weeks; now and tlien having flight (Ivir-
miflies with the enemy ; fometiirjes one Stock
and fometimes another : but the robbers
finding them all too well provided, and
their reception rather too warm, retreated
to a neighbour's Apiary, where they fucceed-
ed to the ruin of fwo weak Stocks.

696. Thefe invaders, I afterwards under-
derftood, were a large Swarm of another
neighbour's that did not rife until the latter
end of July; and tlie remainder of the feafon
proving very unfavourable, ftern famine
drove them to thefe darino- extremities.

697. It is lingular that Bees {eldom or
ever rob any Stocks of their own Apiary;
unkfs there happen to be no weaker Stocks in
the neighbourhood. Strong Stocks are very fel-

doni

Of their Wars, &c, 289

dom attacked j which is one reafon, among
many others, for keeping none but what
are lo.

698. The robbing-time Is fooner or later,
according as the fpring or fummer is more or
lefs favourable ^ but it is generally twice a
year, fpring and fall. In the fpring it is not
much, compared to that in the fall of the leaf.
\'\ in the fpring the weather prove warm, the
Bees are thereby invited out ; but, unable to
procure honey from the flowers, and their own
flock being exhaufled, they are induced to
become invaders of others property. The
fpring robbing is over the beginning of April,
fometimes early in March, according as the
flowers are more or lefs fit for furnifhing fub-
fiflence.

699. But the mod dangerous time is the
latter end of July, and mod: part of Auguft;
nay, I have known feme fo late as the 3d of
September. The Bees are moft defperate
in autumn, knowing they can then have no
other rcfource. As foon as ever honey-gather-
ing fails, robbing begins. Every day great at-
tention mull be paid to your Stocks, that the
invafion may be ittn before much damage
is done,.

700. When Swarms have been plentiful,
but late, and the weather indifferent, it will
be a dangerous autumn ; and will require a
very watchful eye to be kept over the Apiary.
Whenever one Stock is befet, put your others
in a proper pollure of defence, by contrading
the entrances : this may prevent their being

•U put

290 Of their Wars, ^c,\

put to the trial. A fmall force will defend a
narrow pafs again ft the power of a great army.
However, dilcretion muft be ufed in narrow-
ing the door-ways, which muft be done only
in proportion to the number of Bees at work,
that they may not be too much crowded in
their palling in and out.

70 1 . When a hive of any force begins to be
aflaulted, the Bees become very irritable and
quarreifome ; they will then fting the Apiator,
though familiar with, and fond of him at
other times.

702. A weak Stock that is in danger, had
better be united to another weak Stork (if you
have fach a one) that has honey enough for
both : by this means they will form a compe-
tent Stock to withftand the enemy, to refift
the feverity of the winter's cold, and the fcan-
tinefs of an auftere fpring,

C H A P,

(291 )

CHAPTER XX.

On the great Mortality of Bees in Winter
and Spring -, the caufe invejiigattdy and how
to prevent it : alfo the manner of feedin^y

• them to the bejl advantage,

703. ' I ^ H E articles of this chapter are
J^ of great importance, as ibme
hundred Stocks are loft every year, through
ignorance or inattention to theic points.
Nor as yet, hath the practice been re-
duced to any degree of certainty, or well
adapted to public ufe ; writers having dif-
fered greatly upon a fubjed: which, in
appearance, ieems of no difficulty. How-
ever it is hoped, the experiments I have tried
will enable me to remove all the difficulties.
704. It muft be confidered, that Bees are
capable of reliding cold only to a certain
degree. That which reduces them to a
lethargic, or torpid fi:ate, is falutary ; for
thereby becoming motionlefs, perfpiration, and
circulation of the fluids, are flopped, and the
confequent diffipation prevented; in this flate
any frelh fupply of fullenance is unneccflary.
But the warm airof thefpring, diffolving their
coagulated fluids, reftores them again to adiivity
and to the impulfe of hunger.

705. But fli'.Hiid tiv-v be expofed to fjch
a degree of -cold, as to coagulate their fl.:iils

U 2 btyoiid

20 2 Mortality of Bees.

beyond the influence of heat to reftore, they
are in a hopelefs flate, and cannot be revivified.

706. But here occurs the grand diffi-
culty; viz. that of knowing what degree
of cold will keep Bees in the beneficial
torpid ilate, without injuring them. It muft
be allowed that this is far from being a fixed
point, and not eafily to be afcertained. But
though it is not prudent to walk too near
a precipice, efpecially with a giddy head, yet
we may fafely approach it at fome yards di-
flance. We hope, therefore, to fhew in the
fequel, that any common capacity, may
readily avoid each dangerous extreme, with-
out being either a philofopher or a conjurer.
Nor is there anynecellity for a thermometer*
to regulate to a nicety this part of ruftic
CEConomy.

707. Though a Bee, fingle and at reji^
be not able to refill; a degree of cold much
milder than that which congeals water, and
will die in a temperament mild enough for
mofl other infeds of our climate ; yet by
motion it can acquire fuch a heat as will
enable it to refill an air that has made me
quake on going into it from a warm room.

708. It is well known that exercife will
preferve the human body in a genial comfort-
able glow of warmth, though in an air fo
cold as otherwife would prove nearly fatal.
The Bees experience a fimilar influence from
tnotion. 709. When

■>■

* Natural Hijlory of Bees^ p. 408.

Mortality of Be 'es, 29^

. 709. When they are colleded into acom-
p^t\ body, US is their ufual manner in their
hives, though then motionlefs, they retain*
by their numbers, a very confiderable heat»
and which increafes many degrees foon after*
and in proportion to any motion commenced*
To elucidate my meaning, let me compare a
hive to a barn, on entering which fingly, in a
cold winter's day, our bodies will be chilled,
and we lliall feel ourfelves very uncomfortable i
but fliould it be foon filled with people we
lliould prefently become not only warm but
even hot.

710. Though from the difference of fitu-
ations, difpofitions of places, and qualities
of hives, we cannot form one certain rule,
yet this we may fafely infer, that the greater
quantity of Bees there is in a hive, the lefs
danger they will be in of fuffering by cold.
For which reafon, while a populous Stock
will remain healthy, a poor one Hiall be
perifhing. One hive iLall be thrown into a
ufeful lethargy by the fame cold weather,
which would fcarcely diminifli the heat of
another. And whilll the Bees in one hive,
fliall be confuming their provifions, thofe
in another lliall be expiring with cold.

711. From hence appears the necefHty of
2 moderately fized hive (viz. half a bulliel)
for their winter relidence, for if too Imall
they will, in our com?no7i winters, be too
crouded and too warm : or if the hive be
©ver large, they will not be numerous enough
to keen uo the fdutary lUndard of health

U 3 iumcient

294 ' Mortality of Bees.

fufficient to counterad: a cold, damp, and
noxious air. Many have been the inventions
of ingenious gentlemen to preferve Bees in
this healthy medium. It may be uleful to give
a few remarks upon thofe of mofl note.

712. And iirfl of placing Stocks in ice-
houfes. The impra(^icability of this method
with refpetft to general ufe needs fcarcely to
be pointed out to any one ; it is fufiiciently
obvious at the very firfl view. None but the
opulent poiTefs any; and it is by no means
probable, that any nobleman or gentleman in
the kingdom will permit the f^irmers and
cottagers to depolit their Bee Stocks in
their ice-houfes. The benefit arifing from
it aUb, would not repay the trouble, even
upon the fuppoli'aon of a more certain pre-
fsrvation ; which yet is very doubtful : for
unlefs the Bees of each Stock were very
numerous, the icy coldnefs would cer-
tainly congeal their fiuids beyond the hmits
of a future diflbluhility.

713. The next method, and which fecms
more feafible*, is that of furrounding the
hives every way, with dry earth or fand, be-
tween hurdles, or in caiks, with a iittle trunk
to extend beyond tlie earth as a pafiage for
the Bees : a pan of honey, properly covered
being firft placed underneath the hives.

714. To this it may be objeded, that a
good Stock by tliis treatment will be kept

too

■* Natural Hljiory of Bees>

Mortality of Bees. ,295

too warm ; fo much lb indeed, that unlefs
the winter prove very levere, the Bcres will
not be in a torpid ftate during any part of
it, and confequently coniume a large quantity
of honey : which had they flood expofed to
the weather, would have been fiived. On
the contrary, fliould the winter be attended
with a cold, damp, and foggy air, both the
good and the bad Stocks will be in danger
Irom the abforbing power of the earth, which
fucks in like a Ip'onge fuch noxious damps,
and thus the hives will be filled with putrid
exhalations, together with theconfinedand pu-
trid perfpiration of the Bees themfelves. This
may be feen, though in a much lefs degree,
on the infide of the windows of box hives in
fuch weather. Under fuch circumftances how
is it poffible for the Bees to beotherwife than
weak and fickly ? And indeed this will be
found to be the cafe ; the poor infeds are
afilided with the flux, and being too weak
to go abroad to empty themfelves they foil
each other as they hang, and alfo the floor;
by thefe means the vicious quality of the con-
fined air being increaled, the whole com-
munity at length becomes infected ; and the
Bees perilli by the very means that were in-
tended for their prefervation : fome of the
more vigorous lighting upon the floor, be-
come immediately fo chilled, and fo befm cared
with the clammy excrement that, not being
able to rife, they prefently expire. Upon the
whole, this appears too hazardous for public
ufe, to fay nothing of the trouble and expence.
U 4 715. But

29^ Mortality of Bees.

715. But further, fuppofing they a:r«
hereby kept fo warm and dry as to obviate
thefe inconveniences, will they not fuffer
equally by over feeding ? And will they not
alfo confume more fupplied honey, during
the winter and fpring, than the profits arifing
from them will counter-balance, fhould they
profper ?

716. Another method has been propofed of
fhutting Stocks up in a dark, cold out-
houfe, from the middle of September to the
middle of April,* as an improvement upon
Reameaur's method cf incloiing them in
caiks (713).

717. This no doubt is much more prac-
ticable : but from many experiments I tried
this way, I perceived not the leaft fuperior
advantage j and more frequently the contrary.
To which I will add that the keeping them en-
tirely fhut up, and ina6live for feven months, is
by no means what is wanted : Three months,
at moft will fuffice for their indolence. But
to take four months more of their breeding
?time, when they generally are anxious to repair
their winter lofs, by railing a young and fturdy
brood againft the harvefl: of honey, feems a
very prepofterous fcheme of management.
The author was certainly too precipitate in pub-
liHiing a method founded upon a fingle ex-
periment, and that not in his favour j for he
allows, that if his mode fliould be eligible,
the degree of care necefl'ary in conducing it,

can

* Afi'iik I c/Z', «/ De Rs RujlkiU

Mortality o/* Bees. 397

can fcarcely be expected from fervants and
gardeners, who have many other things
to attend to; and I add much lefs can it
be expeded from farmers and cottagers ;
befides, this gentleman did not confider, that
the Queen often begins to breed the beginning
of February, (if the Bees have liberty to
fetch in farina) ; and during this month, and
the fucceedingone of March, there is generally
a prodigious increafe of young. It is com-
monly believed that a Bee is twenty days
in hatching, and that the maggots are fed
with frefh farina, without which they perifli.
Therefore if the Bees be confined until the
middle of April, it will be twenty days be-
fore a fingle Bee is bred, which brings it to
the 5th of May, and confequently there muil
be a lofs of more than three months brood,
that is to fay, of a complete Swarm : for
many Swarms rife in April, and even at the
beginning of it, in favourable feafons. \¥here-
as by the rtiutting-up method, the Swarms
muft be very late, and frequently there wiM
be none at all. Nor can the three months
lofs of time be ever regained, fo as to render
fuch a Stock equal to one that has got fo
many thoufands of young vigorous Bees ready
to collcdl: the honey as loon as it appears ;
while they themlelves are chiefly employed
in rearing brood ; and have but few labourers
to fpare for other work.

718. Belides, however fuch Stocks may
be confined, yet whenever the air is warm,
it will pervade their hives, and roufc the Bees

to

±gB Mortality ^/^ Bees.

to ad:ion. They will then, by their difcon-
tented notes, flievv how impatient they are of
the conftraint; and how eager to tafte the
fweets of the frefli air, to empty themfclves
abroad, and to renew their labours at the
time appointed by nature herfelf.

719. From what has been now offered,
the inference feems to be, that bad confe-
quences muft arife from fliutting up Bees
indifcriminately. Perhaps, however, in ex-
traordinary frofcy weather, or deep fnows, it
may be of fervice to flop up the door-ways of
hives, as they fland ; leaving only a fmall air-
hole, and taking care that they be all opened
again as foon as the froil breaks.

720. Having tried a great number of ex-
periments to afcertain the bed method of
prefcrvation, it appears to me that a good
Stock, viz. one well filled with honey and
numerous in Bees, in a found hive, and co-
vered with a pan, hackel, or the like, will
ftand our ufual winters, without any detri-
ment, and be more ijealthy, than by any
other treatment. But when the froil is un-
commonly fevere, a fack, bag, or pea-halm,
thrown over them, during its continuance,
is all the additional attention nccciTary.

721. The recital of lome obfervations will
iljuflrate this more difbinctlly. In the hard
frofl, and deep fnuw, of January 1776, the
barometer was between twenty-nine and thirty
degrees ; and the thermometer from fifteen to
twenty-eight j fome days it was at the lowelt
numbers j and the weather was more in-

tenfcly

Mortality ^Bees. 299

tenfely cold than in 1740. Daring this froil
two of my box Stocks, having no additional
covering, perifhed. Two weak Stocks, in llraw
hives on Hands, fuffered the fame fate ; thefe
had no covering except a plumb bafket.
All my other Stocks being rich, furvived
the feverity of the winter and ilouriihed
abundantly.

722. It is worth notice, that one of the
boxes that failed, had, notwithilanding, plenty
of Bees and of fealed honey; and, what is
llill more extraordinary, the honey was liquid
and tranfparent, j,at the termination of the

- frofl, when I took it. Upon examination I
found that the top of this box had warped,
and thereby let in too much cold air.

723. In confirmation that icvere froft will
not injure Bees, we appeal to Siberia and
Ruffia ; where the winters are many degrees
colder than any we have ; where the hives
are formed of the bark of trees, which are
not fo warm as our ftraw hives ; and alio,
where Bees inhabit hollow trees, as with us j
and yet, notwithftanding all thefe feeming im-
pediments, are known to thrive ; but uhtther,
equally wuth ours, hive for hive, remains to
be yet afccrtained.

724. Froil is undoubtedly beneficial to the
Bees as well as to the owner, while only fo
fevere as to keep them motionlefs during the
winter; for in tiiis cafe mofc part of their
honey will be faved ; as they will not be
capable of feeding, 'till near the return of the
£owery fweets furniihing a frelh fupply. Early

Sv.-arms

;50O^ Mortality of Bee§.

Swarms are llkewife caufed by this fituatiori.
But the inftability of our climate, and the
frequent and often fudden tranfitions from
one extreme to another, prove more fatal to
the delicate conftitutions of the Bees than
a feries of any one kind of weather whatever.
Valetudinarians among us too frequently
fuiFer from the fame caufe.

725. In contraft to the foregoing obfer-
vation ; the fpring of the fucceeding year viz.
1777, was too cold for the Bees to colledk
any farina i I did not obferve them to carry
any in until the i6th of March, and then
but little, and thus it continued \mtil the latter
end of April. This prevented the ufual in-
creafe of brood. Nor indeed was the fummer
more propitious for the collediion of honey.
In the beginning of May feveral weak Stocks
died, and the weather permitted little or no
forraging till the 26th of May, 'till which time
my Bees all partook of a general feeding, or
common table (760). Moil part of June was
cold, the aril of which a weak Stock died.
So that I was obliged to renew the feeding,
and continue it until July: the 1 aft day of
which was fo cold, wet, and windy, as to
require fires being made in the parlours.
And yet, on that day, a neighbour's Swarm
rofe. The wliolc fummer proved fo un-
favourable that none of my Stocks got a
fourth part of what would be necefiary for
their wijiter (lore. To comoletc the mif-
lortune, the enfuing autumn and winter
were dfo very unkindlv, beinj replete with

damp

Mortality ^/'Bees. 301

damp foggy air: this, as all the Stocks were
very poor, and fcanty of numbers, affecfted the
vveakeil very feverely, caufing a fatal purging,
which deftroyed many of them before I
could find a remedy. The following fuc-
ceeded to my wilhes, and is the more valu-
able, as it is vi^ithin the reach of the meaneft

.cottager.

726. Incorporate two or three weak Stocks
into one (409, 629), joining them to that
which has the mofl honey. This operation
fhould be performed in a warm room, if the
feafon be very cold.

727. The itock-hive is then to be fet upon a
very clean and dry floor, on which coal-a(hes
(or, where thefe cannot be procured, wood-
aflies will perhaps do) are to be laid about
an inch thick, and over thefe clean dry flraw.
This management keeps the hive fufHciently
dry and warm at the bottom, and when the
Bees happen to dung, it pafTes among the
Aravv, fo as not to foil or chill them when
they fall down, or alight. At the fame time
the hives muft be well covered with facks,
cloths, pea-haulms, or the like, fo as to keep
the whole hive moderately warm : but a fmall
opening is to be left for their pafling out,
whenever the mildnefs of the air or their oc-
cafions invite them. As the ftraw will keep
the edges of the hives hollow from the floor,
where pans are not ufed to cover them, in
lieu thereof bricks or large flones muft be
laid on the tops, futticient to keep the hives
clofe down to the floors.

728. By

302 Mortality ^/^ B £ e s .

728. By this fimple and eafy management
I preferved all the refl of my Stocks, and
they requited me by their future profperous
labour. Flannels or woollen cloths laid on
the floors of the hives, were found of no fer-
vice. The ftraw and the aihes feem the beft
antidote to the pernicious eiFed:s of cold ^og^y
air, which 1 take to be the only one that .is
dangerous to Bees ; preferve them from this
and keep your hives full, and the froil will
bite in vain.

729. Boxes are not near fo warm as flraw-
hives, therefore in hard weather they Ihould
have a bag or ftravv laid over them. But a
rnedium muft be obfcrved, not to keep them
foovarm, as to be in motion.

730. There is no fort of danger in per-
mittinp-' the Bees to fally out as they like.
They are the beii judges of the degree of
cold they can bear. The only danger is when
the around is covered with fnow, and at the
fame time a faiiling fun invites them out to
tafte its b'inign influence ; but no fooner are
the unfortunate Bees out, than they behold
the face of nature intirely changed, they are
confufed and confounded, they fall, and are
immediately chilled to deith by the fnow.
The remedy is to iliade the door-ways from
the rays of the fun, during thiswe.uher; or

, flop them up, leaving only air-holes until
the fnow is emirely gone.

771. When Becs have fallen to the bottom
of the hive, and feem motionlefs or dead, it is
a fign the Stock wants more warmth ; in tliis

cafe.

Mortality of Bf.es, 503

cafe it will perifh, unlefs immediately re-
moved into a warm-room, and placed near
the fire until the Bees begin to revive, then
flop up the door-way. fo that none can come
out, and at night put them on a prepared floor
(726) and cover them up warm.

732. Mr. Wildmin direifts that to preferve
the Bees in one of his boxes, which has win-
dows in three of the fides, the glafs is to be
taken out in 0(ftober, and pieces of blotting-
paper, or foft flannel, placed in lieu thereof,
TJiis appears to me a trouf)lefome and need-
lefs buflnersj for my boxes, with like panes
of glafs, flood in my Bee-houfc (which is
not very clofe) during a froft that was fe-
vere enough to freeze water in the hcufe,
and yet received no harm : though nothing
was done but covering the box with a bag :
neither is it necelTary to have any flips of wood
placed againfl the glafs to prevent the Bees
iVom fixing their combs thereto. The glafs
will bear the prellure of the combs without
fuch affiftance : which will alfo prevent that
perfed: mfpedion for which the windows
were chiefly mtended. Perhaps Mr. Wild-
man trailed to theory, and did not try a box
without thofe precautions. Hence it is that the
world is peftered with theoretic dedud:ions,
unfupported by pra^Itical demonftrations.

733. It Is very uncertain whether a weak
Stock can be preferved by all the pains, ex-
pence, and care you can bcflow ; for it is an
hundred to one, but that it will be labour loO ;
fuppoiing it fucceeds, the produce of futh

a feeble

^04 Mortality of Bees.

a feeble Stock the next fummer, either as t9
fwarming or honey, will not be equal to the
expence and attendance ; nor adequate to
what they would have furniflied, if they had
been united to a good Stock. It mufl: be folly
to prefer a hazardous chance to an apparent
certainty ; for which reafon it has been di-
reded (627) to keep no weak Stocks, but to
incorporate them in the autumn.

734. Bees in weak Stocks may not unaptly
be compared to a young trader, who from the
ill-judoed pride or parlimony of a parent is
placed with a fmall capital, in a bufinefs that
required a large one ; but the means being dif-
proportionate to the end, a bankruptcy is
inevitable ; notwithflanding the mofi affiduous
and conftant exertion of Ikill, induftry, tem-
perance, and frugality.

725- become now to the article of Feed-
3?2g ; which in fome inftances is abfolutely
necellary ; for it may fometimes happen that
a fummer (fuch as was that of 1777) ^^^^
prove fo very unfavourable as to furnifh little
or no honey; confequently no Stock can have
a fufKciency for the winter.

736. This is a trying cafe, for being both
weak and poor, they demand our utmoft care
they will require to be kept warm, and to be
conftantly, though moderately fed. Where
there are feveral poor Stocks, this will be
very troubiefome, and uncertain in the event ;
for if the feeding happens to be neglecfled but
two or three days, it is moil likely that they
will all periih, (jS^r

737' ^^t

Mortality o/'Bees. 305

737. But by uniting feveral of thefc together
(even at that leafon) this attendance is greatly
leflened; and the Bees being aUb lufiiciently
numerous to keep up a comfortable warmth,
they can defcend without danger, to partake
of the daily bounty beftowed upon them, and
thereby efcape thofe two formidable enemies,
cold and hunger.

738. The mode and matter with which
they are to be fed, require a careful difcuf-
lion, as errors in thefe have done much mif-
chief. Bees have been fed, with one or
more of the following articles, according as
whim, fuperftition, or fancy has direcfted i
fait, bean-flour, fweet-wort, treacle, beer-
grounds, dead bird5, toad ajid honey, fruit,
fugar, honey, and farina, with many others
that I fuppofe have not come to my know-
ledge. Out of this farrago I fhall only remark
upon honey, farina, and fugar -, the refl I con-
fider either as ufelefs or pernicious.

739. Several late authors have fuppofed
honey the only and beft food for Bees. This
Monfieur Reaumur difputes, from the in-
ftances of Stocks dying, tho' furrounded with
combs of honey ; from whence he draws the
conclulion, that honey alone is too lax a diet
unlefs affiled by farina, which he charac-
terizes as the true bee-bread. I apprehend
the objedtions are as great againft the farina
as the honey ; for if farina be abfolutely tiecef-

faryy how is it that more Bees die in fpring,
when plenty of frefh farina may be procured,
than at ajiy other feafon of the year ? Many of

X my

3©6 Mortality of Bees.

my Stocks have often failed, although th^y
had a fiifficiency both oi honey 2.v\^ farina.

740. Befides, I have often fupplied poor
Stocks with double the quantity ot honey to
what any of my other Stocks had in tlieir
hives, and yet they perifhed in the fpring.*

741. As honey ferved rather to increafe
the malady than cure it, I next tried fugafy
both of different forts, and mixed with
water and with ale, boiled and unboiled :
but all was found inefFedual^. though the
Bees at the fame time were properly fccured
from cold. I then concluded the error
mail arife from too great a profufion in the
lupply of the food ; taking the hint from

the

* Perhaps the folhxvhig experiment^ as being neiv, may net
he wipLcapug to the reader. To Jupply the poor Bees [as I
then thought) in t^'c bejl manner^ 1 hung combs of honey to the
bars of an empty hive by bits of very narrow tape : atfirjl I
was anxious leji they Jhould gna-iu the tapes ajunder^ before
they had repaired and fixed the combs j and thereby let them
tumbli daivn to the bottotn and cruJJ) many to death : hovjevsr^
they agreeably deceived ?ne ; for they firjl fajientd the combs in
their vfual manner^ and then gnawed the tapes afunder^ and
drew them out of their hives y tenor tzvelve of them at ertape^
like failors pulling at a rope. This experifnent I repeated fever al
tunes, with alivays the fmne refult. Here it rright be afed^ how
catne the Bees by ihhfagacity f n\uf} they not have reajcned upo?r
the cafe, and that juch ajingular one as neither they nor their
predcceffors had ever jceyi before. IFas it injiincl'^ or was it ^
not rather the efcd of thought? Hoiv infinitely diver-
fifed may this thijilciiig fomcthing be ! from the ioiveji de-
gree af animation to that 0} a Newton ; and from a Newton^
by imperpcetible gradations, to fhat of angels and archangels^
even to infinite inconiprehcnfibiUty ! But this is apointoftoB.
much liiblimity fsf mortals is reach.

Mortality ^ Be£s. 367

ihe experiments in which the Bees died,
though furnifhed with combs enough to fup-
port two populous Stocks.

742. An experiment of Reaumur's, feems
to fix this point beyond difpute. *' Some

Bees were placed in a hive Without
leaving them any honey -combs, or even
the liberty of fc-eking their food abroad.
To compenfate for this they were fup-
plied with pureholiey. At firfl they were
** fed fpdringlyy which kept them alive a-
** bove three weeks : however, I was after-
** wards too bounteous j they eatingyS much,
** that they foon had ^«r^/;?^j- ; they wetted
** one another i and fome days after, they all
** died; and were as wet on this occafion as
** as if they had been dipped in water thick-
** ened with honey."

743. From thefe inftances, we may con-
clude Bees are like fome creatures of a more
noble fpecies, who^ not contented with a tem-
perate enjoyment of abundance, feed to ex-
cefs, and thereby lay a fure foundation for
numberlefs difeafes, often terminating in an
untimely and painful death.

744. Thus the Bees, allured by a fudden
and too large fupply at once, and obtained
without either labour or pains,- gorge them-
felves fo as to bring on a fatal laxity ; the very
difeafe your care and kindnefs intended to pre-
vent. It is probable, however, that the purging
does not always arife folely from excels, but
fometimes from a previous weakncfs, attended
with a retention of the perfpirable matter,

X 2 ccafioneJ

308 Mortality of Bees,

occafioned by a damp cold air. The Bees#
incapable of difengaging themfelves from each
other, are under the neceiTity of emptying them»
felves as they hang cindered together, there-
by foiling thofe beneath; the whole cl after
at length becomes infed:ed ; the floor is be-
dewed with the excrement, which befmears
thofe that fall on it ; and at the fame time the
air of the hive is rendered more noxious 5
which haftens the deftrucftion of the whole.

745. For the cure, Reaumur direifts a
comb of crude honey (by which he means
farina) to be given to the fick Bees; but this
I have found by experience to be of no real
benefit. Rufden recommends fait and honey ;
but fo far from liking a compofition of this
fort, they will be difpleafed with the offer.
It has been alTerted, that Bees will eat fait,
and that they thrive beft near the fea. It
may be fo, but not becaufe they fuck the fait

.water; it is not uncommon to afcribe eftedts
.to wrons caufes. I have often tried them
with fait, and with falt-water ; but inftead of
plealing, it manifeftly offended them. The
only eife(5tual method of cure is to take away
the caufe ; to keep none but populous hives ;
and, if there be occafion, to feed them, though
but fparingly.

746. Whenever a number of Bees are
{i^en dead at the bottom of the hive, it is a
fign that their fituation is either too cold, too
damp, or that they are famidiing (772),
Tho' fometimes Bees may he found upon the
floor, that have died nierely of old age ; for

as

Mortality (?/ Bei- s. 309

as they enter the flage of life at different pe-
riods of the fpring and fummer, they will
depart from it alfo in all the various feafons
of the year. Nor hath the brighteft genius,
by the deepefi: refearches, yet difcovered a fpe-
cific to change the decrepitude of age into the
blooming vigour oi youth and beauty. It is
divine temperance alone that is able to pro-
cure a happy longevity, though it cannot
communicate immortality.

747. Bees may be fed either with honey
or fugar. The laft anfwers full as well, if
not better, than honey. I generally feed
with fugar, as being much cheaper here than
honey. But in feme counties it may often
happen, that honey is not fo valuable as
fugar, confequently the former is to be pre-
ferred.

748. Honey, after it has been fome time
taken out of the combs, becomes grainy and
hard -, and is then not digeflible by the
Bees, unlefs reduced to the fame liquid ftate
as when taken from the h'ves. This may be
done by putting a quarter of a pint oi ?7,ild ale
to a pound and an half of honey, and mixing
it well together j this will be of a fimilar con-
fluence with hive honey, and will not grow
feedy again. Warder dire(51:s water, (perhaps
the Doctor was a water drinker) but I know
by frequent trial, that ale is more agreeable to
t'ne Bees; not that they will be tipfey with
it, but it acfls on them as a cordial, gives them
more vigour, they thrive upon it, and look
plump and Ihining.

X 3 749. If

jio Mortality ^ Bees.

749. If fugar be ufed, it (hould be of
the coarfefl and dampeft kind ; that which
feels fandy or grainy is improper, and for the
fame reafon as grainy honey. P or as the Bees
receive their food by Uclcing it wiih their
tongues, as dogs lap, and not by fucking or
grinding, therefore when fuch fugar is given
them, the hard grains are left until a moid air
dilTolves them. The fugar mulf therefore be
damped with a little ale, not boiled, nor with
fo much as to make it run. Sometimes, how-
ever, in the early part of the fpring, the
Bees of a Stock are weak and fickly ; they
then require more of the cordial quality of
the ale, and cannot feed on the fugar unlefs
made as liquid as the honey ; (I fpeak froir^
experience) but as the fpring advances they
grow flronger, and require it to be thicker.

750. The fediment of treacle cafks, or the
grounds of beer, will give the Bees a loofenefs,
fo will fweet-wort, if given in great quantities
and often ; but a little, when you brew, will
be an acceptable change.

751. That ale and Jugar will preferve Bees,
feems evident from an experiment made in
May, 1773. The greater part of that month
had 'x:it^x\ wet and cold, after a long feafon of
jnoderate frpft and funny days. At that time
there was plenty of borage, apple, and other
bloffoms ', yet two of my Stocks, that were
full of Bees, were near perifhing of famine^
fome hundreds lay on the grpund before the
hive, living, but too much chilled to rife,
^'hey were taken up, and carried to a proper

di fiance

Mortality of Bees, 311

diftance from the fire, where they prefently
revived. I then fed them with fugar and ale,
and returned them to the Stocks, which were
conflantly fed with the fame, though but
fparingly, until honey-gathering commenced ;
and they afterwards amply recompenccd me
for my afiiliance.

7<;2, I have at other times treated Stocks m
the fime manner. But what afcertains the pro-
priety of this meafure, beyond i. pofllbility of
doubt rs, that having only neglected to feed
them three or four days they have periilied.
Doubtlefs, this is attended with fome trouble ;
fo is feeding poultry and pigs: let the farmer's
wife refrain from it three or four days, and
fee how fat they will be.

753. The manner of furnifhing the food
becomes our next confideration. Warder
condemns the country dames for what he
thinks a very dtftrudlive manner of feeding.
But I have tried both his method and theirs,
and found my Bees died when fed as he di-
re6ls, while the good women preferved theirs
by their ufual means.

754. But to be more particular: the fettlng
plates of honey under hives is attended with
many inconveniences. Lifting the hive up,
in order to fet the plate under, and after-
wards to take it away, greatly irritates the
Bees ; and each time the Apiator will be
i\ung, as alfo fome of the Bees cruflied under
the plate, and under the edge of the hives.
Alio as the combs in general extend down to,
gnd are tallened to the floor, there is con-

X 4 fe(^u€nt\y.

312 Mortality of Bees.

fequently no room for the plate to ftand
under without damaging the combs, or pre-^
ventin» the hive from fettin.o: clofe to the
floor. Befides which, the method of laying
a paper with holes in it over the plate of
honey, is certainly an improper one, as the
paper will be apt to flip alide, or wrinkle up,
fo that the Bees will get under, and numbers,
of them be fmothered in the honey. Old
combs fet under, is a preferable method to
the above, but is not free from fome of thefe
objedions.

y^^. Mr, Wildman contrived a circular
little box, with a mouth to it, to enter a
little way into the door*way of the hive. I
diflike it, as being too expenfive ; as standing
expofed to the cold out of the hive j as the
honey is to be covered with paper, which
makes ir liable to the foregoing objections :
and laflly, as the Bees are obliged to leave
the warm hive to feed in the box.

756. I have tried perforated tin tubes, let
into the top of the hives, and into the fides i
tin trunks, and a variety of other con-
trivances, but find none equal to the fimple,
eafy, and cheap method of kexes : thefe are
troughs made of the joints of any plantthatis
pithy or hollow ; thole of elder are thebeftof
all for this purpofe. Select thofejoints that are
longefl:, and not more than one year's growth 5
take the rind or bark off, as alfo the upper
part, 'till the joint is fhallow enough to Aide in
at the door- \A ays of the hives, leaving about
tvv'o inches at one end uncut, as a handle, and
at the other end a little of the pith, to prevent

the

Mortality of Bees. 315

the fugar or honey from Hiding cut Into the
hive. Make the under part a little flat, that
it may reft fteady, and not be liable to turn
afide, which it will be apt to do if left in
its natural roundnefs, and thereby the hive
floor will be foiled with the fugar, to the de-
triment of the Bees.

757. As thefe little troughs are but narrow,
the Bees will ftand on the edges, and feed
out of them, equally as fafe as at their combs ;
and as their length is fix, feven, or eight
inches, their food is introduced into the warm
part of the hive. By thefe means they are
not too much chilled by any degree of cold-
nefs in the air that makes It neceifary for them
to feed. For in a very cold ilate of the at-?
mofphere they are torpid, and take no food
at all (704).

758. One oi thefe troughs, or kexes, full,
is enough, in general, to fupply any Stock
twenty-four hours. They (hould be placed
in the hive every evening, and changed the
next. Such Stocks as do not nearly confume
the quantity, diould have lefs given them at
a time, that there may be no danger of their
overcharging themfelves (741).

759. This method of feeding is only necef-^
fary when the weather is not mild enough for
theBees to come out of their hives to feed ; or
when ycu want to fupply only a particular hive
orhivcs; or, if feeding become neceffary before
the Wafps are gone. But be fure never to
place the food at the entrance of the hivej
for, i[ there be any poor Stocks in the neigh-
bourhood.

354 MortaUty of Bees,

bourhood, they will be allured to partake of
it with your own Bees, and thus occafion the
death of many every day by their quarrels.
This may be called Separate Feeding.

760. But to lliorten the trouble, when the
weather is fufficiently mild, either in autumn
or fpring, as occafion may be, and the Bees
feem aiitive, all the Stocks may be fed at
once; which is called Public Feeding. This
is beft done by procuring a piece of fome
compad: wood, as a(h, oak, &c. about eight
inches long, four wide, and an inch thick
at leaft ; let this be made full of circular
holes by an auger, or rather a center bit, each
hole to be half an inch in diameter, and a
quarter of an inch diflant from each other,
and as deep as the wood will admit, but fo
as to hold water. If there be any inconve-
nience in getting the holes made, the board
may have grooves cut oat, of half an inch in
width, leaving wood enough at each end to
ftop the fugar from running out; or, if cut
quite through it muft be flopped with putty,

761. Thefe inflruments, (which I fliall
call feeders, efpecialjy the firft kind of them,
as in fume degree, refembling honey-combs)
the Bees will cordially feed out of without
danger of befmearing themfelves, which they
generally do when platters or plates are fet,
however well regulated ; and without occa-
iioning any dangerous quarrels among them;
for though they will not fl:ab each other, yet
they will fometimes box and bite, and tumble
ip.ne another about among their food, fo as to

deilroy

Mortality of Bees, 315

cjeftroy many lives, when they cannot get
readily at it. The fugar or honey may bo
made thinner for thefe public feedings than
for the private, fo thin indeed as to pour thro*
a tea-pot, which will be the mod convenient
inftrument to fill the holes with.

762. Thefe feeders fliould be fet upon a
ftand of fome fort, about the middle of the
Apiary, and placed under an old hive, pan,
or the like, leaving an ample vacancy for
their entrance at the bottom ; for if not pro«
ted:ed from the wet, a fudden (hower may
prove deflrudive to many hundred Bees.
One of thefe feeders, filled, is fufficient for
twelve Stocks for a day's fupply.

763. There is no precifely determining the
Quantity of honey or fugar necelTary to fup-
port a Stock through the winter and fpring.
The numbers are fo different in different
Stocks, and the weather fo various, that one
year may require double that of another.
Sixteen pounds of fugar and one quart of ale
luftained twelve of my poor Stocks through
the autumn and until the fucceeding A'lay ;
at which time they deferted the fugar, anc^
began to provide for themfelvcs.

764. By this method of feeding the whole
expence of feeding twelve poor Stocks thro*
a very dreary feafon, amounted only to five
ihillings and eight-pence, whereas fix, eight,
or tea pounds of honey have been given to
fingle Stocks, upon anothei plan, and yetfuch
^tocks perilhcd.

765. Ii|

3 1 6 Mortality of Bees.

765. In the fpring all Stocks Ihould be
examined, by poifing them between your
hands, whether they be light or no. This
rhoLiid he done as foon as they begin to
breed, for afterwards, the additional weight
of the brood and farina, will induce you to
think they are rich in honey, when at the
fame time, they may have little or none in
their hives, and may perifli for mere want,

Jeemifigly in the midft of plenty. But by exa-
mining them early, you will be certain to di-
flingui(h fuch as will want your help, 'till ho-
ney paflure comes in, from thofe that do not.

766. If any of your neighbours keep Bees,
their Stocks will partake of the public treat,
equally with your ov^^n. In fuch a cafe, and
when your Stocks are poor, and mujl be fed,
the feparate feeding is to be preferred, except
when the air is too cold for any (trange Bees
to come fo far from home. You may eafily
fee, by the flight of the Bees, whether any
come from the furrounding quarters.

767. Public feeding will be extremely
dangerous to your Apiary, if ufed before the
time of robbing be over, as it will intice the
robbers to aflault fome of your Stocks.

768. There is no danger of your own Bees
coming out to feed in too cold weather; mine
have publicly fed in December without da-
mage; though in other years May and June
have proved lb unfavourable, that none would
venture out, though at fhort allowance, and
?>reatiy prelTed with hunger; but I have
known that when they have been out, and

fed

Mortality of BEts. ^I'J

fed for two or three hours, yet upon feeling
the air too chilly, they have returned, though
in the middle of the day, and the fun Ihining
out.

769. Where a good price is made of honey,
feeding in autumn and fpring will always be
advantageous, although your Stocks be well
furnifhed; for the more fugar and ale they
confume, fo much the greater will be the fav-
ing of the Stock honeys they will fwarm the
fooner, and the fooner fill an additional hive :
or fhould the inclement feafon continue longer
than ufual, your Stocks will be in fecurity
and plenty while thofe of your neighbours
are ftarving. Here then is a managemen£
doubly advantageous.

770. The continuance of feeding, mufl
however be regulated by the commencement
of honey gathering; for although the Eees
will in general negie(5t the fugar as foon as
their favourite flovv'ers appear, yet they will
not always, but ibmetimes carry in both
honey and fugar, and thereby debafe the
quality of the comb honey. As foon there-
fore as they feem io flight the fugar, the feed-
ing muft be dillontinued.

771. Whenever it is obferved in the fpring
that the Bees ,of any hives do not fly out as
others do, fuch may be concluded to be fa-
miiliing, or on toe point of dying : turn up
the hive, and if they do not ftir, remove
them to the houfe fire ; as loon as they be-
gin to crawl give them a kex of liquid food,
and fiop the paiTiige fo that none may come

out;

3l8 Mortality of Bees »

out; at night fet them in their place agaifii
cover them warm, and continue to feed therii
every day, as long as necefiary : but, if oh
turning them up they appear lively, and havfc
honey, but have ceafed from working, it is a
ilgn they have loft their Qiieetl, and therefore
tnuft be united tofome other Stock (376), or
you will have neither honey nor Bees left.

772. The Queen's death is often occafioned
by age, difeafe, or fome accident* If at this
time the Stock be numerous and rich, the
Bees will defert the hive, and take their trea-
fure with them (636) : hutiit^ey /liould not,
other Bees or vermin will, unlefs the Apiatof
be (harp-fighted en ough to prevent them.

773' ^^hen Bees fly in an idle manner
about their hive in th« fpring, when thofe of
the other Stocks do net, it is fign of poverty,
and they will require fuccour 'till the honey
feafon commences (765,752). Atany time if
you fee the wax crumbled on the hive floors, or
about the door-way, it is a token the Bees
are iri fome diftrefs ; turn the hive up,
if very light, and without honey, but the
floor dry, and the Bees lively, it denotes fa-^
mine; the Bees however may be laved by
proper feeding or uniting.

774. V/hen Bees arc motionlefs, merely
through hunger, heat will not rellore them ;
but, when the hive is turned up, if fome
fugar or a fmall quantity of liquid honey be
dropped among them it will recover great
part of them.

yj^. When

Mortality of Bees, ^^9

775. Whenever many of your Bees areob-
ferved to fly about the door, with a lamenting
tone, in fpring or autumn, it is to acquaint
the Aplator that they are in diftrefs, and
want his charitah''e affiftance : by infpe<fting
the Stocks, and by the unufual number at
fome of the door-ways, you may know which
Stock wants fuccour : this muft be immediate,
for the next day may be too iate.

776. As foon as there is plenty of farina in
early fpring, and mild weather to favour the
colle<ftion of it, the Bees will breed apace.
Having thus a continual increafe of many
mouths, if there be not plenty of honey in
flore, or if the feafon continue for a length of
time propitious for breeding, but unfavourable
for honey-gathering, the Stocks, efpecially the
poor ones, will be more in danger than at
any other time : hence it is that fuch numbers
of Stocks perifh in May. The prevention is
a cautious and timely feeding. Hunger,
which increafes the fiercencfs of many fero-
cious creatures, has a contrary c.ffc<tt on the
Bees, caufmg them to be very tame, fo that a
hive may then be turned up without their of-
fering to l^Hng.

777. The way to avoid having poor Stocks
is to be fo moderate in their number, that
tliey flarve not each other, through the want
of pafture to fupply them all (566). By
thelc means, though lels in (htw, you will
have more in fubftance, and be always a fuc-
cefsful and profperous Apiator; without be-
ing or fearing either a v.'i:ch cr a conjuror.

77^- If

( 320 )

^yt. If Stocks at any time be removed
from one part of an Apiary to another, the
ftand or door-way from whence they are
taken, muft be difguifed by a mat, cloth,
or the like, or the Bees will wafte much time,
and many be loft, by returning to the fame
{land again.

779. The flits or openings that are made
to admit the Aiders in the tops of the hives
and box, fhould always be Hopped up by
fmall wedges of wood or of tea lead, to keep
out the moth and other infedts; unlefs in hot
weather, when they may be open to let in the
air, to keep the hives from being too hot.

CHAPTER XXr.

How to ExtraB the Koney and Wax from
the Combs 3 with fever al new Methods
of doing it,

780. '■ ■ ^ H E combs fliould be taken out
j[ of the hives as foon as poflible,
and the honey drained from them while yet
warm, as it will then run more freely. To
further this intention, the hives fnould be
brought into a warm room, if the air be cool,

bus

"Extradlion of Ho nil y and Wax. 321

but where no Bees can enter : for otherwife
the fmell of the honey willattravft multitudes
to their deilrudlion ; and likevvife greatly in-
terrupt the operation.

781. In my open top hives and boxes, that
have but one I'pleet, a notch muft be cut in the
edges of the combs, that the fpleet may be
taken out without damaging any other part
of the combs , for which purpofe one end of
the fpleet muft be cut through, clofe to the
lide of the hive, and it may then be eafily
drawn out. The combs are then to be loof-
ened from the fides of the hive, by being cut
through at their edges by a long thrn knife ;
then lifting up the body of the hive, all the
combs will be left ftanding upon the barred
top ; from which they may be feparated by a
knife, fo as to come away whole. This
advantage alone in my hives will more than
compenfate for the extra expence,

782. If there be any Bees upon the combs,
when taken out, they fhould be bruHied, or
rather blown off, and if befmeared with honey,
waOied in two or three waters made a little
warm ; being then laid on a fieve, and placed
in the fun-{l"iinc, or before a fire, they will
revive again, and fly to their refpeJtive homes.

783. Thofc parts of the combs that are
empty (hould be cut off firlT:, and thjle that are
black and droffy, laid by themfelves; as mufl
ahb thofe that have farina; but if any have
brood, great care (hould be taken not to
crufli them, as they mud be put into an

Y empty

32 2 Extra^Iion of Honey and Wax.

empty hive (588), and placed over any Stock
that mod wants ftrengthening.

784. Then thofe parts of the combs that
contain virgin honey (830) are to be cutout,
and drained by them(elves ; for there are
fcarcely any hives but what have fome portion
of virgin combs in them.

785. Great care muft be taken that no
maggots, or the juice of them, or any of the
farina be fqueezed out among the honey, for
both communicate a bad flavour and quahty
to it: therefore a httle honey had better be
loft; or thofe parts which cannot be feparat-
ed without fouinefs, be returned again for the
Bees to feed on ; by which in the end no lofs
will befuilained.

786. It is ufual to lay the combs on fieves
for the honey to drain through ; but the honey-
is too long in palling through them, and
thereby the iviod volatile and fragrant parts
are exhaled.

787. A better apparatus is a frame of
wires adapted to the fize of your pans, each
wire about one inch diftant from another ;
through thefc the honey will feparate much
fooner. Lay the combs thereon, cut
through the cells about the middle and
turn them ; in three or four hours the
honey will be run out; then cutting through
the upper parts as they lay, turn them alio
downward, and the whole will be focn finiih-
ed. Large ti/2 dripping-pans are to be pre-
ferred for this purpoie, as iron pans have
generally feme rull on them, and earthen-
ware

ExtraLi'ion ^ Honey afjdWhx. 323

ware abforbs or fucks In a great deal of the
honey, which tin does not.

788. As feveral fmall portions of the combs
will fall between the wires along with the
the honey, a bag niuft be provided of a conical
form, that is, wide at top, and tapering to
a point at bottom ; it is to be made of iine
flannel, or fuch canvas or cloth as the dairy
people ftrain their'milk through. This is to be
hung between two chairs, or to the ceiling,
and ajar, or other proper velTel fet under-
neath to receive the honey as it runs through.
The honey is to be poured out of the draining
pans into thefe bags, whereby it will be entirely
freed from every particle of wax, much more fo
than if palTed through hair fievcs in the com-
mon way. Care muil be taken that the bags
be not hung fo near the fire as to melt the
wax, for that will fpoil both ; but a mode-
rate degree of heat will greatly forward the
operation ; and the honey will be the better
the lefs time it is expofcd to the dufl and
the air.

789. In large Apiaries, where perhaps
fifty or a hundred Stocks are taken up at once,
the prefs is by fome ufed, without any pre-
vious drainings ; which in the common way,
would be a very tedious procefs, for fuch
quantities. With fubmifiion, however, I
Ihould imagine, that if a number of large tin
pans, with fticks only laid acrofs them, were
ufed, the fuperior goodnefs of the honey
would amply repay the firll ccfl of the pans ;
and the procefs would beaccompliOied in a very

Y 2 moderate

3 24 Ext ration of Hon e v a72d Wax.

moderate time. By the prefs all the honey
is made alike impure ; which gives too much
room for the odious charader of fophiftication,
though perhaps the accufation of a want of
neatnefs m^ight be more applicable. If equal
delicacy were obferved in the extradlion of
honey as in the management of the diary, it
would fully pay for the trouble ; and perhaps
introduce honey once more to general accep-
tance.

790. The firfr running from virgin combs
only iliculd be referved by itfelf, as being
of the firfl quality j provided cuftom.ers
can be found to give a proportionable
price. The next in value is that which drains
from the other com.bs indifcriminately : and
a third fort is produced from the combs
when fqueczed or preffed through the bags.
This fort will be foul, and fit only for cattle,
or fome external ufe.

800. But where mead is made, it will
hardly be worth while to prefs the combs ^
as they may be thrown into water for that
purpofe directly ; or the combs, after pref-
iing, may be placed, a few at a tin:ie, in the
Apiary, in dry pans, and the Bees will take
care that not a particle of the honey fliail be
lofl. If a quantity of the combs be given
them at once, they will fuffocate each other
among them. Forthe lame realbn the draining
pans mud be ftrewed over with flraw, orherbs,
&c. before they are given to them -, other wife,
in their eagernefs they will befmear themfelves
ail over. Thefe pans, &c. Ihould be fet un-
der

Separation c/' Wax. 325

der Tome (lielter, left a fudden fliower vvnfh the
honey away and drown the Bees. If they are fet
out in a rainy day, it will prevent the neigh-
bouring Bees from partaking with your own.

801. The pots or veflels of honey fhould
remain a few days to fettle before they are
clofely covered for fale ; for if they contain
any fmall particles of wax, thefe will rife
to the top, and are to be fkimmed off.
The good combs are to be kept apart from
the bad ; as they are intended to be melted
feparately (807).

802. The ufual method of feparating the
wax from the drofly part of the combs is to
boil xhtm in a proportionable large quantity of
water j which is to be frequently ftirred to
prevent the wax from burning : when it has
boiled fufiiciently to have thoroughly melted
the combs, it is to be put into hair bags, fuch
as bottoms o^ fieves are made of, and then
prefTcd by fome convenient inflrument folong
as any wax pailes thro': the drofly part that re-
mains may be re-boiled in frelb water, and re-
preilsd, whereby more wax will be obtaii^ed.

A veflel of cold water is to be fo placed as
to receive the wax as it comes from the preis
or bag, to cool the wax thefooner, and toprc'
vent its flicking. The wax is then to be melt-
ed a fecond time, and prefled through bap-s
made of cream cloths ; after which it is to be
melted a third time, and pafled through bap-s
made of ftill finer cloth. Lallly, it is to be
melted again, without any water, and poured
into pans wider at top than at bottom, fo that

Y 3 the

^26 Separation of Wax,

the wax when cold, may be turned out with-
out difficuky : and not only lo, but the fmaller
the bottom of the cake is, the drofs will be
more colledtcd, and confequently the lefs
wafte made in fcraping it off. This tedious-
method might be greatly fliortened by firft
boiling the combs in water, with each quart
of which half an ounce of aqua-fortis has
been previoully mixed. After being boiled,
the wax will be within two or three inches
of the top, intermixed with farina ; but a
confiderable quantity of drofs will be at the
bottom. If the whole of this mafs be fuffered
to {land until quite cold, the drofs at the
bottom may be cut off; and the remainder
being fo much more free from impurities, the
wax will be far more t2LWiy extricated.

803. When the wax is in the mould, if
there be any froth, blow it to one fide and
fkim it off. The moulds or veffels it is
poured into fl^-ould be firft wetted with cold
water, to prevent the cakes I'Hcking to them.
The moulds are to be kept in a warm room
until cold, otherwifc the cakes of wax will
crack in the middle. If they happen to flick in
turning out, warming the veffels a little will
loofen them fo as to come out with eafe.

It (houldbe obferved,that the combs ought
not to be fqneezed when put into the water ;
as they vvill melt the fooner, and the farina,
and other impurities be more readily fepa-

rated.

I would propofe a bag made of flannel
of a moderate thicknefs, as far preferable for

li raining

Reparation of Wax, -^27

ilraining the wax through than either linen
or canvas. It fliould be hung during the
procefs as near the fire as polhble without
burning. A hoop (hould be faftened at the
top of the bag to keep it properly extended, fo
as to receive the wax with the greater faci-
lity. Btfore the wax is put into the bag, it
fliould be well and brifkly boiled, and that for
fome time ; otherwife the wax will not be
fufficiently difengaged from the drofs, farina,
and I'kins of the maggots; with the two laft
it is fo intimately united, as to be very diffi-
cult to feparate. A veffel of co/J water is to
be placed under the bag, to receive the v/ax
as it drops. The firfl running will be good,
but as the flannel thickens, by the wax adher-
ing to it, it will come through fiill more pure ;
and though from foul combs, will be equal
to any of the wax from the virgin combs.

804. When the pores of the bag become
fo choaked with wax as to prevent its paf-
fing through, return the remaining grofs
matter into the boiling water again, and as
much as can be fcraped ofiF the bag infide and
out. To fhoiten the procefs it \wil\ be pro-
per to have a kettle of water boiling by
the fide of the other to recruit its v/afte,
and to boil the bag in, to clear it of the
fiill adhering wax and drofs ; v/hich will
otherwile prevent any more wax pafiing
through it ; and this muft be repeated as of-
ten as it becomes clogged. In the fame man-
ner fieves or bags of any other materials muft
be treated.

y 4 805. The

328 Separation of Wax.

805. The feparated wax muft have all the
water fqueezed from it before it is melted to
be put into the moulds : for the water will
make the wax liable to crumble.

806. Some ftrain their wax through hair
fieves ; but thefe are foon clogged up, and then
but little v/ax will pafs, confequently there
will be a diminution of the profit. Where
Apiaries are very large, a prefs is generally
ufed to feparate the wax ; and in fome places
it is done between hot irons.

807. A greater quantity of wax will be
procured if the virgin and other yellow combs
that have no fiirina or brood in them, be
melted by themfelves : for the fewer impu-
rities there be, the fooner the wax will run
from it ; whereas if entangled with a large

■ quantity of drofs, the prefs having lefs power
over it. the more difficult and tedious the
feparation will be. Upon the whole, which-
ever of thefe methods be taken, it is a very
troublefome bufinefs, confumes much firing,
a quantity of wax is wailed in the operation,
and the drofiy matter, which is thrown a-
way, contains a confidcrable portion of wax»

808. Many and great were my endeavours
to obviate thefe difficulties, which have puz-
zled me ever fince I kept Bees 3 at laft I hit
upon the following procejjes -^ which I give
to the public as the mod perfedt that have hi^
therto con^iC to my knowledge. But it will be
necefifary, by way of introdudion, to make
feme difcriminatmg obfervations on co7nbs. If
we carefully feparate the hard dark coloured or

black

Separation of Wax. 329

black cells from each other, either full or
empty, they will uniformly be found toconfid
of a film or very line Ikin, inftead of a partition
of ivax\ For Supreme Wtfdom has indued the
Bees with fuch oeconomic fagacity, that as
foon as a maggot has quitted its ikin, tliey ce-
ment or hang it up againft the- waxen fides of
the cell ', and very likely feveral of them
fucceflively, until they become fufficiently
flrong to form a partition of themfelves;
the wax is then taken away and applied either
to form new or to cover other cells : for the
Bees in many inftances are found to be ex-
tremely faving of their wax.

809. But in order the more certainly
to afccrtain this opinion, I boiled fome of
thefe combs, which were entirely empty,
but not the leaft trace of any wax was
found. The c;Kperiment was repeated with
the fame kind df combs filled with farina, and
the refult was exacflly fimilar. To corrobo-
rate this fa(5l ftill more, if feveral of thefe ikins
or films be twill:cd together, and lighted, they
will burn like a candle, as many other fub-
ftances of this kind will do, though not con-
taining the leafl particle of wax ; whereas, if
we prefs together feveral of the fineft virgin
cells, and hold them to a candle, they will
melt but not tiame. To which we may add,
that thefe iTcin partitions do not manifefl any
waxen property, either to the eye or the touch :
much le!s has farma any fuch quality when
tried by fire. From hence it may be concluded,
that we may as well attempt to extract wax

from

33© Separation of Wax.

from a pafteboard, as from fuch kind of
combs* Therefore, that fo very large a quan-
tity of droffy matter may not prevent a more
perfed: purification of real waxen combs,
they fhould be previoufly feparated by the
liand, and thrown on the fire, to make the
pot boil, as the befl ufe they can be put
to; which will much fliorten both the
trouble,' time, and the expence of fuel ufually
beftowed upon this ufelefs rubbifli. People
therefore need no longer v/onder that the
combs from old flock hives yield little or no
wax; for if any be obtained, it is what co-
vered the honey cells. This alfo lliews the
great advantage of a frequent change of hives
for the acquilition of double or treble tlie
quantity of wax, than can be procured by
the old way.

Procefs the Fir ft.

For extradfing^ Marketable Wax without
Prejjing.
8io. Take a tin cullender, all the holes of
which are round j the handles muft alfo be off,
inftead of which fix acrols it a ffrong wire or
iron bail, or a tin one like thofe of watering-
pots ; and if foldered on the infide, it will
be moll; convenient. The cullender in lize
muft be adapted to that of the pot or kettle
you intend to ufe ; but to go within fide of
it, as clofe to the fides as pofTible. Set the
pot on the fire, with about three or four
inches depth of water therein,, in which is to
be mixed fingle aqua-fortis, in the proportion
of half an ounce for each quart of water. In

thig

Separation of Wax, 33 s

this put as many wax combs as will conveni-
ently boil when melted. As foon as they
begin to melt, they fliould be frequently
flirred until all be thoroughly melted ; let
it then boil without flirring, that the wax
may rife clear. It fliould be made to boil
very bri/kly, during the "whole procefs. As
foon as the yellow froth rifes, put in the cul-
lender or fieve, and prefs it down in the
liquor, until it be about half full ; but
great care muft be taken that none of the li-
quor rife over the edge of the cullender, as
that will foul what is therein, and fpoil the
operation. With a wooden, or what is bet-
ter, a tin ladle, drd dipped in cold water,
lightly fl^im off the wax as it rifcs upon
the furfjce, and put it into a narrow bot-
tomed pan (previoufly rinfcd in cold wa-
ter) fet as near as can be to the pot on the
fire, and continue ll;imming the wax off as
long as any rifes, deprefling the cullender in
proportion as the liquor finks.

811. Inll:ead of a cullender a hair fieve may
be fubiHtuted ; but where a perfon keeps fix
or eight Stocks of Bees, it will be moll: pro-
fitable and convenient to have a tin veffel made-
en purpofe to fit a due proportioned kettle or
pot, the fides of which ihould be quite
llraight, fo that when the tin Jcparater Hides
down, there mav be no vacancy for the farina
to rife up between. The holes in this tin
feparater (hould be as numerous and fmall as
poffible in the bottom, and about two inches
up the fides s the bottom fhould be quite flat,

without

332 Separation of Wax.

without a rim, like that of a quart tin pot*
that it may prels the dregs the clofer down>
when near the bottom.

812. When the liquor in the pan is nearly
cold, the wax is to be taken out, and what
drofs adheres to it fcraped off. The wax is
then to be re-boiled in a fmall quantity of
water, and about a fourth part as much
aqua-fortis as before to a quart i as foon as
it boils take it off, and let it ftand until cold.
The wax will concrete at top, and the re-
maining drofs being again fcraped off, may
be further purified with other combs.

813. This procefs will not only extract the
wax more completely than any of the methods
generally ufed, but it is alfo much lefs troable-
fome, and in every other refpecfb more eligible;
for the aqua-fortis may be got for a penny an
ounce, confequently that trifling charge is
much over-balanced by the other fuperior
advantages. As aqua-fortis procured from
■different places may not always be of equal
ftrength, a confequent variation will be found
in the procefs. The operator muil therefore
add or fubflradt in conformity. Some prac-
tice is neceffary to form a judgment, or to
conduit this or any other operation fkilfully.
Double aqua-fortis will not anfwer the par-
pofe, either in this or any of the follovv^ing
proceffes, nearly fo well as the fingle, and
the wax produced will be of a pale dingy
colour.

814. A lefs expen five method, though not
fo eligible, is to put the combs loofely into

a can-

Separation of "Wax, 33^

a canvas, or rather a fine hair bag, tied up
clofe at the end, and put into a kettle with a
due proportion of aqua-fortis and water ; a
leaden or iron weight is to be laid on the bag
to keep it down to the bottom. It mufl: be
made to boil fo as to throw up the froth
briikly, which is to be taken off as (810):
a thick board with a handle in the middle
is then to be put in, to prefs out what wax
may be flill adhering. It is afterwards to
be treated as (812). It fliould be carefully
obferved that in thefe procefles of fkimming
off the froth, what rifcs of a clear yellow
fhould be referved by itfelf, as often requir-
ing no further purification. The more for-
cible the froth is thrown up, the purer it will
be; and the operation the fooner finiilied :
by this bag-method, full as much wax, if not
more, may be obtained, as by any of the ufual
modes.

Frocefs the Second.

815. To extra5l Marketable Wax from the
Combs by aftngle Operation^ i^ithout either
Jiraining or prejfing.

816. Take an earthen vefiel, much nar-
rower at the bottom than at the top; put
therein a quart of water, and one ounce of
1^:\g\Q aqua-fortis y or the like proportion for
larger or Icfier quantities : flir them well to-
gether, and then put in fo many good wax

combs

.^34 Separation of Wax,

combs as, when melted, will reach within ^
a finger's length of the top of the pan j fet it
on a clear but flrong fire, and as foon as it
begins to melt, flir it about, and fo continue
until it boils, and even longer, if the combs
foe not all thoroughly melted ; remove it then
from the fire, and let it ftand until it be
cold.

817. The wax will be in a cake at the top,
and the impurities underneath it : there will
be two forts of impurities ; the loweft will
be almofl entirely drofs ; this is to be taken
off by itfelf, and is of no value; the next
will be a layer of drofs, but with fome wax
intermixed; this alfo is to betaken oft, (fo as
to leave the cake pure and referved by itfelf;
as aifo any fouhiefs that may be on the top ;
both which may be refined along with more
combs the next boiling.

818. Old combs that have wax in them, or
other refufe that has been prelled, but yet re-
tain a confiderable portion of wax, may be thus
treated, and will yield as fine yellow wax as
the beft combs; provided the corjibs-or refufe
have been previoufly prefied down, and kept
in a clofe tub or veffel in a houfe for five or
fix weeks : which will occafion the hipiirities
to ferment and rot, (the ivax will ?iot) and
thereby difengage the parts, and dilbofe them
more aptly for feparalIon»

Proccfs'

Separation of "W AX, 33^

Procefs the Third,

*To extraSl Wax from the Comes by a
fingle operation, in a greater degree of pw
rity, and without Jiraining, prejjing, or the
nfc of a ?7ienjiriium,

820. Take the fame kind of veffel as 18
ufed in Procefs the fecond, put into it about
a quarter of a pint of water, to keep the wax
from burning; then put in fo many entire
empty virgin combs, or at leaft fuch as are of
a good yellow, as the veflel will conveniently
hold ; fet the pan over a brifk but clear fire \
as foon as the combs begin to melt, keep it
Jiirring until it boils ; then ceafe, and a clear
yellow froth will rife on the fide or middle.
This is to be HiilfuUy taken oif as faft as it
fifes, and put into a pan previoufly fet clofe
by. The lire muil: be fo managed as to keep
the froth riling up, but not fo fierce as to
make it boil over. If it rife too faft, remove
the pan to a lefs hot part, or damp the fire a
little. The combs, when firft melted, fliould
only be fufficient to rife within three inches
oi the top of the pan, to prevent the necef-
fary rifing froth from running over ; when the
froth riles a little foul, return it out of the
ladle into the pan again, and draw the foul
fcum afuie from the part where the froth
rifes, or the whole will be fpoiled : when no
more clear froth will rife, take the pan off,
and turn the remainder out into avcfiel of cold
water. It may be afterwards further purified

along

33^ Separation of Wax.

along with other combs, by the fccond PrO'*
cefs. A fliallow tin ladle will be moil con-
venient for this bufinefsj but for want of that
a bafling-ladle with the top taken off, will
do very well.

821. The pan that has the purified wax
is to remain near the fire undillurbed, and
with a cloth over it, until it is cold ; it will
then turn out a cake of fine wax (if it has
Been managed judicioufly) and free from drofs.

822. This Procefs may be very ferviceable
as preparatory to forming white wax ; and for
feveral other nice purpofes, where great purity
is required; and in fa(^ is the readieft and
cheapeft method of extraction of any ; but is
reilridled only to fine combs.

Procefs the Fourth,
To render Wax mifcihle with Water,

823. In a quart of water difix)lve one ounce
of pearl or pot a(h ; add combs as in Procefs
the fecond, and boil them until melted : the
whole will then appear of a milky colour, the
wax and water being incorporated, and when
cold will refemble cream. To redorc the
wax re-boi! it with three times tlie weight of
aqua-fortis as there was of aflies ; hereby the
wax will be extricated from the water, and
refume its ufuul ilare» only of a paler colour
than common. I give this Procefs as one
that I happened on iw the courfe of my ex-
periments, not knowing bat it might convey
fame uieful hint, or prove of real fervice.

824. Doubt-

( 337 )

8^4. Doubtlefs Ibme ingenious perfons,
who keep confiderable Apiaries, may add to the
above improvements ; which are but new to
myfelf, and confequently not likely to be To
perfetft as time and experience may render
them.

825. Combs fliould never be kept long
before they are melted, for, though they be
covered in a clofe box, the Wax-Moth will
find a place to depofit its eggs in, and the
young maggots will gain an entrance to the
deftrudion of the combs ; after which, turn^
ing to perfect moths, they will prove verj
hurtful to your Apiary.

826. A hive of combs yields but a fmali
portion of wax, compared with the quantity
cf honey. A hive of three pecks well filled,
and of not more than two years ftanding, may
afford twenty-five pounds of honey, and not
above two pounds of wax. Stocks, takea
one with another, in the common way of
management, do not upon an average afford
above one pound of wax each.

CHAPTER XXir.

Chaya5lerijlic and Medical Obfer'v at '107:5 0?%

IIo N E Y.

827. T T ha? been already obferved, that the

A perfection of honey arifes from the

fuperior quality of the flowers from which

it is gathered (514) and alfo from the degree

Z of

338 Obfervations on Honey.

af care and cleanlinefs in its fcparation from
the combs. The fornicr is regulated by the
lituation of the Apiary for paiturage, and by
the weather ; for however plentiful the belt
of honey-flowers may be, if the weather
prove too cold, too wet, or too dry, when
they are in bloom, they can yield no honey;
or what amounts to the fame, the Bees can-
not fly out to procure it ; but the weather
perhaps proving more favourable afterwards,
when the befl: flowers are gone, and a more
inferior fort are blowing, the Bees in this
cafe are neceflitated to coUeftfrom them. If
a furloin of \itti cannot be had, we muft take
up witli a leg. Hence it is, that in fome
years, no fine honey is produced. And 011
thefe principles it may befuppofed, that even
in the fimc year, different Apiaries may pro-
duce honey of very different qualities, though
the pafturage be equal, the difference arifing
from the weather being favourable to one
fituation, and not to another.

828. The honey that is generally fold in
the London fhops, is too hallily condemned,
as being fophifticated with flour. To af-
certain this point, I mixed with a fmall
quantity of my fineft honey, fome flour, in
different proportions; by none of which vv-as
it altered to the appearance of London
honey. Therefore the ditference muft be
afcribed to the nature of the places from
which it is ufually brought ; that is to fay, the
heath countries. Thele indeed produce a
sreat abundance, but, from the nature of the

tiovvers.

Obfervatiofis on Honey. 339

flowers, the honey is but indlffL^rent (507,
560) ; to this mull be added, thegrofs method
of extruding the honey from the combs by
means of a prefs ; which fufficiently accounts
for its too common coancnefs and foulnefs.

829. To explain this more diftindly, it
mufl: be remarked, that in Stocks which
ftand more than two years, the combs be-
come black, and the cells foul, by the
quantity of brood fucceffively depofited in
them. Not only fo, but when a hive is
taken up, there is frequently fome brood
or maggots in parts of the combs ; as alfo
farina, both new and flale. The tafle of
the maggots is like that of rufty bacon ; and
that of the farina, a naufeous bitter. If any
of thefe therefore, through carelefsnefs, be
preded out along with the natural impu-
rities of the combs, and intimately incor-
porated with the honey, it is no wonder,
that this becomes difagreeable to the fight
and tafte, and even unwht)lefome j nor that
in genera], it is difefteemed and negleded.

830. It is a prevailing opinion among
country people, that 2\\ Jucarvi honey is lir gin.
This proceeds from a fuppolition that a Swarm
confiils intirely of young Bees, and therefore
their honey mufi: be the bcrt. But in neither
cafe is this true. A Swarm conlifts both of
old and young, equally with a Stock : but
even admitting they were all young Bees,
what difference can there be in the feledion
of the flowers between the old and the young I
If there be any, however, it mud be in

Z 2 favour

24-0 Obfervafions on Honey.

favour of the old Bees as more knowing and
more fkilful than the others. The truth is,
none are virgin combs that have had brood
or farina in the cells, whether it be in a
Swarm or Stock. Now a Swarm breeds
through the fanimer equally with a Stock,
conleqiiently great part of their combs, efpe-
cially the central ones, are filled with brood,
as well as thofe oF the Stock. So that in
both, it is only a part or portion of the
combs, that contains true virgin honey ; if
by that name be meant honey of the greateji
purity. The grand point therefore is, when
the combs are taken, to feparate the virgin
parts from the other with the greateft care
and nicenefs poffitle.

831. By managing Bees in the flory
method, the advantage in this refpedt is very
great, as whole hives or boxes may be taken
£lled with intire lirgin honey arid wax : but
which is always impradricable by the com-
mon hives and management, and in general
hv the collateral mctliod.

Z-ii. it mufi be cohfidered, however, that
honey may be reallv virgin, and yet but bad
honey in its quality. For, as before noticed,
honey as colieded by the Bees, in the firil
inftance, is good, bad, or indifferent, accord-
ing to the nature of ihe flowers from which
it is gathered. And therefore a purchafer
may be fupplied with intire virgin honey,
and yet be greatly difappointed. For inftance,
honey gathered from heath, and depofited in
new virgin cells, will be true virgin honey:

but

Obfer^vations on Honey. 341

but as heath affords only that of a bad qua-
lity, the nature of the place where it is
lodged cannot improve it.

833. As fine virgin honey is procured in
much fmaller quanties than any other, the
price ought mod certainly to be larger in
proportion. Thofe who will not give a good
price mull cxpecft to have an inferior fort im-
pofed upon them inftead of the bed. Bat
as few buyers are competent judges they are
apt to think the demand exorbitant. if
the feller be of tried honelly, and the buyer
not avaricious, a confidence may be placed
without dan;:{er of impofition.

834. Foreign honey is much extolled as
being far fuperior to any produced in England.
This in a great nicdfure may be true, but
not intirely ; the wild thyme and rofemary of
Narbonne in P'rance ; of Minorca ; of
Mount Hymcttus, in Greece ; of Hybla, in
Italy, may be injured, while in bloom, by
fhov/ery weather; and this opportunity being
loft, the relt of their flowers will yield no bet-
ter honey than our own country affords. Be-
iides, as they have fuch prodigious quantities,
it is very probable that the Apiators of thofe
countries are not more cleanly or more
careful in the extradion of it from the combs
than the farmers dames of our own ifland.
Shall old England's pcafantry {uhmit the palm
of cleanHneis to thofe of France or Spain,
or any fouthern cliiiiate wliatever ?

835. It is pofilble to have as fine honey in
England as the foreign, in any and every year,

Z 3 ''17

342 Obfervations on Honey.

by having a large garden planted with a
great quantity of aromatic flowers. It may
farther be remarked, that the foreign honey
muft greatly vary in its quality, in different
years, according as the weather has been
more or lefs favourable. The different
apiaries alfo, as with us, owing to diverfity
of liruation, and of management, cannot be
fuppofed to produce honey always equally
line. Therefore, let us not be carried away
by the " whifth'ng of a name", but let our
fenfes of fmell and tafte come in for a (hare
in the judgment.

836. Honey when expofed long to the air,
grows hard, rough, and feedy : to prevent
which the Bees feal or cover the cells of
honey with wax; as in this flate it is to them
quite indigeflible. Not that all honey is alike
in this refped: ; fome years afford it of a more
liquid nature than others; and difference of
fituations often has the fame effed:. If
honey be kept in a warm place, it will fer-
ment, and turn acid.

837. New honey is better than old, as it
is continually loling fome of its fragrancy,
unlefs very clofely confined by a bladder.
That v/hich is colleded in the fpring and
fuiiimer is fiiperior to that of the autumn ;
the clear than the yellow. That which has a
kind of acid fweet than that which is wholly
fo. The bed: is light coloured, fragrant, and
fomething aromatic, partaking of the nature
of the flowers it was gathered from. The
colour depends on that of the different juices

which

Obfervations on Honey. 34^^

which yield it. Thus the honey coUecfted
from trees is higher coloured than that from
flowers; and that from the blolToms of heath,
darker coloured than what is gathered from
any other flower.

8:j8. For medical purpofes honey is di-
redted to be claritied. This is performed by
fetting a bafon, containing the honey in a
veflel of hot water, over a clear fire with-
out fmoke, and taking off the fcum as it
rifes. It the honey be foul, this method
will free it from the grower impurities, but
not from tbe lighter heterogeneous matters
with which it is ufually mixed, fuch as dufl
and farinaceous lubftancesi nor from the juice
of the maggots, with which it oftentimes is
blended. Neither has a vapour bath force
enough to effed: this, nor even a violent boil-
ing of the honey in a naked veil'cl. On the
contrary, if the honey be really virgin, nothing
will be thrown upon the furface by boiling,
except froth; and inflead of being improved
by this management it will be robbed of its
moft effential excellence ; viz. its aromatic
fragrance, and he debafed to a fugary flavour.

839. If honey be bought for virgin ; it
will be eafy to difcover whether it be really
fo or not, by clarifying a fmali portion of it.
One exception, however, muft be made, viz.
that fmall portions of wax, notwithllanding
all the care that can be taken, will pafs
through the hair-cloths with the honey in
4raining. This however generally nfes upon

Z 4 the

344 Ohjervations on Honey.

the furface, after the pots have ftood a few
days, and is eaiily taken off.

840. Perhaps the beft way to purify honey
is to inclofe it in a bladder, and put it into
hot water, until it be jufi: fluid, and then to
pafs it through a thick flannel bag of a coni-
cal or funnel fhape. The bladder will confine
the volatile parts, and the refl:of the operation
being quickly performed, little detriment
will be fuffered. But care muft be taken
that it be not kept in the water until it is fo
warm as to melt the particles of wax that
inay be intangled in the honey. As honey
partakes both of an acid and faline nature, the
veffels in which it is kept, ought not to be
(as is ufually the cafe) glazed with leadj as
is that called Delf, the cream coloured Hone
ware, and all the common earthen v/are.

841. It is well known, that acids and
faline fubifances will diflblve a portion of
of lead, if they be any conliderable time in
contact with it. Thia faturnine impreg-
nation often proves highly prejudicial, efpe-
cially to delicate conliitutions ; while the
real caufe of the complaint is not fo much as
fufpedied. For this reafon, honey fliould
always be kept in white or brown flone pots
or jars : which being glazed with lalt, are
as free from any noxious quality as the por-
celain from China.

84^. 1» a medical view, the fincfl: honey,
concentrates the eflence of the moll: falutary
flowers ; ** atid is the moft exalted of- all

BalJ'ams

Obfervations c;/ Honey. 34^

Balfams whatever'"^. But like them it is
heating, in what manner loever it be tiken;
whether as food or phyfic. It iuits chiefly
cold and plilegmatir iiabits; old men j or
thole who by iickncrs or other caules abound
in grofs vilcid humuurs. But to perfons of a
bdious or hectic -f- conftitutioji it generally
proves inflammatory.

843. It is ufeful as a d-tergent ]; and ape-
ritive,§ powerfully diflolving the too ilu^jojih
juices, and promoting the expecSuration of
tough phlegm. A continued ufe of it as an
article of diet, has been found of Angular
fervice in the gravel and flone.

844. Where honey proves griping or
purgative, the boiling of it will moderate
thefe effeds, by diminifhing its tendency to
fermentation. However falutary honey in
general may be, yet there is a peculiarity in
fome conftitutions which renders the lea'ft
quantity of it highly difagreeable, occafionin'o-
excefiive fickncfs and vomiting, and fevere
griping, nay in fome perfons, the eifeds pro-
duced by its ufe refemble thofe occafioned by
poifon.|| A doubt arifes with refpecl to thefe
cafes, vvhether the noxious quality, might not
rather proceed, from fome heterogeneous par-
ticles or impurities, incorporated with the
honey, t1ian from pure honey itfelf. In this
branch of phyfics, as well as in many other?,

accurate

* Dr. Leake s Medical Injiruflions.
t Hct cr fcverijh. J Ckanjlng. § Opening.

II This Medical chara^er of honey is takm from authors
tf the frjl eminence.

24^ ^0 make Mead.

accurate and repeated experiments are wanted
ill order to afcertain the truth.

845. If domeRic wines, were made with
honey inflead of lugar, they would be more
fimilar to foreign wines : they would be of
a more delicate flavour ; of a more cordial
quality, and fct lighter upon the ilomach.
Though honey, when made into Mead, or in
any other form, has proved difagreeable to
many, yet when made along with fruit, into
wine, it has proved to the fame perfons both
agreeable and exhilerating.

'To make Mead, equal to foreign Wines,

S46. To every gallon of water, put three
pounds of the finefl: honey : boil it as long
as any impurities rife ; which are to be care-
fully Jkimmed off. It will ferment of itlelf,
but fome choofe to haften it with a little yeaft,
putting therein halfof alemon peel, pared thin.
When it is fermented fufticiently, put it into
your veiiel, and the peel with it : leave a
fmall vent, as long as there feems any degree
of fermentation ; then add to it half a pound
more of honey for every gallon of liquor ;
and immediately bung it down clofe. Let
it fland fix months and then bottle it off for
u^e. If intended to be kept fevcral years,
three pounds and a half of honey muft be
at firft put to a gallon of water.

847. As the intention of boiling is only
to feparate the impurities, and to induce a
perfed union of the honey and water. It is
ielf-evident a lliort boiling will fully an-

fwer

To make Mead. 347

fvver every purpofe. This H^ould be care-
fully noticed j becaufe the longer the liquor
is boiled, the lefs will it be difpoled after-
wards to ferment kindly ; in confequence of
which, inltead of being of a vinous quality,
it will have a difagreeable lufcious fvveetnefs ;
and not that fine racy flavour, of which it is
capable equal to foreign wine.

848. This intention is alfo fruflrated by
the injudicious though common pradicc of
making the liquor fo ftrong of the honey as
to bear an egg : this renders it a mere flum,
and prevents ts undergoing that complete
and regular fermentation, which is necefTary
to the produdion of a perfe(51:, uniform
vinous liquor.

849. The expreffed juices of fruits, and
all fugary vegetables, have naturally a fpon-
taneous tence-ncy to ferment into a vinous
liquor, without the addition of a ferment.
Therefore the quantity of yeaft necefTary to
fetthe liquor to work is but very trifling, and,
if done in warm weather, perhaps it will
fucceed beft without any. if the yeaft be
not perfectly good and free from any ill
flavour, it will be impoflible to produce a
perfect and effedlual fermentation j and what-
ever ill flavour the yeaft is charged with will
be communicated to the whole body of the
liquor. For which reafon it is, that the
lemon peel is direded not to be put to the
liquor, until the fermentation is begun. For
then a very fmall quantity of any fiavourable
ingredient will communicate its flavour to a

large

348 To make Mead.

large ca/k of liquor ; whereas, if put \.o it
before or after the fermentation, it will be
imperceptible.

850. It requires a circumfpect attention to
mark the progrcfs of the fermentation, that
it exceed not the limits of the vinous, by
running into that of the acetous. This is a
knowledge acquired only by practical ob-
fervation made on the liquor, during its oro-
grefs, and by frequently tafting of it ; for as
foon as it has acquired the vinous flavour the
progrefs of the fermentation muil be flopped,
or it will foon turn to the acetous , and
therefore at the vinous point the liquor mufi:
be tunned up. By this means the heat is
leflened, and the progrefs gradually flopped,
the heavier particles condenfe and fublide,
while the lighter, by the frequent filling of
thecafk are thrown out at the bung-hole, and
leave the liquor compleatly -purged of all
matter which might hereafter endanger a per-
nicious fret, or turbidnefs. On the contrary,
if the liquor happens to be checked in the
working, lo as not to attain the duedei^reeof
fermentation, the motion being loit, x)\(^ faces
or dregs will not fubfide, nor will the liquor
afterwards become fine or lively. ' While
the liquor is fermenting, the vefTel fhould
have fuch a covering as barely to ailov/ for
the efcape of the air let loofe by the opera-
tion.

851. The principles of fermentation are
of too extenfive a nature to be inlarged further
ypon in a work like this ; what has been de-
livered

( 349 )
livered will I hope prove of fome ufe, not
only in the making of Mead, but of all do-
mellick wines ; as alfo in brewing. People
in general having a very confuCed and im-
periecfl idea of conducfting a procefs which
requires great nicety and fkill.

CHAPTER XXIII.

How to Jind Bees /« Woods, and to fecure
them in a Hive.

852.*"~r~^HE bed time to look for them
J is in the fpring, when the fal-
lows, and other plants that afford plenty of
farina, are in bloom. If many Bees be feeii
collei^iing from thefe blolfoms, or frequently
vifiring any fprings or ponds, it indicates that
their habitations are not far off j and if no
perfons keep any pretty near, it mayfafelv be
concluded, that they are wild Bees, and not
private property.

^^l> In ord'^r to difcover from whence
they come, diiTc'lve fome red or yellow oker,
or any other colouring fubflance, in water,
and dipping fome fprigs or grafs in this folu-
tlon, fprinkle the Bees with it as they alight.
Wheat flour alfo or any other coloured pow-
der may be fliook or puffed over them, fo as
to mark them for further examination. For,
by obferving whether their returns be fooner
or Liter, or whether they affemble in greater
or fmali^r numbers, the diftance of their re-

fidcnce

2^0 T^o find Bees in Woods.

fidcnce may be gueiled with tolerable accu-
racy. If they return foon, it is probable you
may trace them home without much trouble :
But if not, take the joint of a large reed, or
of elder, force a part of the piih out at one
end, put a little honey, or ale and fugar, into it,
and flop that end with a cork or paper; then
cut a fmall flit over where the honey lies, that
the fmeil of it may attrad the Bees. The
pith of the other end is alfo to be taken out,
fo as to leave a fmall partition between the two
hollows ; this end is to be left open. Place
this joint near their haunts, and they wilj
foon be allured to enter into the hollow : when
labout half a dozen are in flop the open end
with your finger. Soon afterwards let one of
the Bees out, purfue it as long as it is in light,
t\iQ^ letting another tiy, if it continues the
fame courfe follow that alfo : but if any of
them take a different route, let another tiy, and
fo proceed until you lind feverai take the fame
courfe, and tliereby lead you to their abode.

854. If this Oiouid happen to be in a hollow
tree, &c. (324) and it is delireable to diflodge
them, it may be done, as diredted (298). Fu-
migation will oblige them to quit their habi-
tation and trcaruic. At {iril ilTuing out they
will be in a great rage, therefore the operator,
as Well as the bye- (hinders, mud be upon their
guard, or they will fmart foi' it. The fmoak-
ing a ihort pipe of tobacco will keep them
from the face, or any thin^ held in the hand
thateir.its a great fmoke, will keep them at a
proper diflance. If they are taken erly

enough

"to find Bees in Woods. 351

enough in the honey feafon to replcnifli a
hive, it will only be necellary to place there-
in luch combs, or part of combs, as have
brood in them, fafliening them in with Tpleets
in the bell: manner you can.

^^^. But if done too late in the feafon for
the Bees to furnidi a new habitation with a
fufficiency of winter ftore, the combs muft
be taken out of the tree, as whole as poflible,
and placed in an empty hive in the moft judi-
cious manner, and fimilar to what the Bees
themfelves do. Then putting in the Bees,
they will foon fecure and repair them to the
greateil: advantage.

856. Great care however mufl be taken
that tlie Q^een be not killed in the operation.
When this happens it may be known by the
Bees not working out the next day as others
do. In fuch a cafe a fpare Queen or royal cell
mud be given them, or they mul]: be united
to another Stock ; taking the honey yourfelf
in reward for your trouble.

At the latter end ofa lummer, and when it is
not intended to preferve the Bees, but only to
take the honey, the procefs may be iliortened ;
for by only making a futlicient opening in
the tree, then drumming and making a great
noile about it, to terrify the Bees, (having
on the fafc-guard 73) vou may take out
the combs feverally, brulli the Bee? oif, and
lay the combs in a proper velltl. Iw all
thele operations it is neceifary that tlie perfon
who operates fhould be well defended.

857. If a hive, the inlide of which has
been rubbed with fugar and al^^, or rather a

hive

352 'To find Bees in Woods.

hive with feme empty combs in it, be fet,
during the fwarming fealon, where wild Bees
refort, it will probably intice a Swarm to fettle
therein.

858. Thus have I faithfully finiflied, to the
bert of my abilities, the account of the moil
eligible methods of conducting the various
operations relating to thefe wonderful infedls.
Wonderful in their nature, properties, and fu-
per-eminently ufeful above all others ; afford-
ing not only food and medicine, but alfo a
very valuable article to the mechanic and
manufa^fturer ; and fupplying the abfence of
the foiar light- by the fplendor and elegance
of its illuminations in the habitations of the
noble and the opulent. The filk-worm in-
deed may in fome meafure vie with the Bees,
as adorning by its labour the perfons and
habitations of the beautiful, the wealthy, and
the great. But v/ith refped: to the other
tribes, our infedts are unrivalled in all.

859. Therefore, while we contemplate the
"Divine Wifdora in a difplayfo wonderful and
beneiicial, let us not forget the /;?5r^/ in ilr no-
tion naturaliy deducible from it : for with the
greateft propriety, may be infcribed on every
Apiary, Behold the School of Sobriety, In-
dufiry, and Occcnomy !

FINIS.

r

( 353 )

THE

N D E Xw

Note. T/}e Figures refer to the Paragraphs,
not to the Pages.

A.

/1T)ditional Hiiey fome feaTons will not
^^-^ afford, 530; none from Stocks the

fame faniiner, SJJ , in fpring, 625;

when to fupply, 615 i hives of combs

to be preferved for, 630 ; when not to

be added, 632.
Age of Bees, ^5-; they die of, 746.
Air J cold and dimp, very fatal to Bees, 714;

to preferve from, 726; putrid, from filth

on the floors, 744-.'
Ale and Sugary Bees are fend of, 747 j uf^-

ful to fprrnklc them with, 370, 381 ;

bell to feed with, 747.
A me litis of Virgil y a remark on, 529.
Anticnts, ignorant how to captivate the
Qlieen, 348.

A a Apiary

354 INDEX.

Apiary y fituation of, 79 ; to be contained In
one fpot, 85; a hedge to intercept the
view of, '89 J extenlive, to have a ftandard,
50 •^ ; how to acquire a large one, 63 1,632.

Aqua-FortiSi ufeful in feparaling wax, 810.

Armour t lee Safe -guard.

Artificial Swar?ning, Wildman's i ft. method,
only by turning a hive up, "^^^f 2d. me-
thod, including driving, 372 ; the danger
and difficulty of, 405 ; the ruin of many
Stocks, 406 ; precarious and too trouble-
fome, 407, 411 ; not adequate to the
intention, 408; feveral objedtlons againft,
410 ; nearly as expenfive as watching,
412; its inutility in refped: of natural
Swarms, 412 ; the Author's procefs, 384,
387, 388.; by liupefadtion, 389, 390 j
better th^n driving, 409 ; an eafy way
with common hives, ^95; by open top
hives, 398 ; to know it there is one in
a double hive, 401 ; precautions in forc-
ing Swarms, 416; how to fix a Swarm to
a particular place, 424 ; to diilodge thein

■ again, 425 ; fecret of caufing a Swarm
to fly out of the window and return, 425.

AuthorSy principal, who have written on
Bees, 158.

B.

Barsy narrow, the inconvenience of, 165.

Bar d Hives J their advantage, 166, 493, 494.

Battle y (fee alfo Fighting) of the Bees ; de-
fcription and caufe of, 685; to termi-
nate, 688.

'i- i. BeeSj

INDEX. 355 :

Bees, the Queen the mother of nil, 8 ;
Hefcription of, 36, 37; to diflinguifli
the young from the old, 42 ; limits
of their age, 35, 41 ; their fnielling,
43, 44 J and other faculties, 45, to
48 ; their care, 45 ; manner of fleeping,
46 ; their cleanlinefs, 47 ; when re-
vengeful, 48, 51; and when not, 48,
49; their familiarity with the Apiator,
49,682; do not bear malice, 51; how to
behave when afTaulted by them, 54 ; how,
when ailaulted by a Swarm, 62 ; have an
antipathy to fome perfons, 55 ; in bad
\veather quarrelfome, 57 ; what things
difagreeable to them, 58 ; an armour
to prevent their Hinging, 72 ; why re-
hiclantly afcend to an upper box, 167;
obfervations on their increafe, 222 ; the
more numerous the fooner they fwarm,
222 ; their weight, meafure, and num-
ber, 265 to 267; will live five or fix
days without honey, 344 ; to fave in ,
common hives without fuffocation, 402,
409 ; afFedlion for their Queen, curious
inllance of, 418; their tamenefs and
tradability, 424; to caufe them to fly
in the air and return, 425 ; the abfurdity
of deftroying them, 428 ; .operations with,
to be done leifurely, 483 ; their manner
in beginning to build, 500; ccmparilbu
of good and bad management, 504, 505;
nice in their collecLions, 509 ; do not tly
far to pafture, 534 j foreign method
of removing Bees to paflure, 536 ; re-
A a 2 jcide

35i5 I N D E X.

joicc when plentiful honey gatherlngj*
541 J more profitable than expenfive of
troubleibme, 565 j method to raife a
great number, 631 to 633 ; will afcend
}n an upper hive in autumn, 633; or
defcend in common hives, 633 ; greatly
decreafe in autumn and winter, ,634;
jdefert their hive on lofs of their Queen,
636 J not always, 639 ; to fu^^cate,
642; Thomfon's pidure of, 644; a plea
for, 645 ; what to be done when too nu-
merous, 646 ', peaceful when not pro-
voked, 682 ; how affeded by cold, 704;
how to preferve in winter, 727; beft
judges of what they can bear, 730; not
to be confined, 730 ; when fallen tor-
pid on the floor, to recover, 731, 746 j .
remarkable inftanceof their fagacity, ?2ote,
740; will feed to excefs, 741, 742 ; their
difeafes, 742, 744; cure, 745; die of
age, 746 ; wild, how to difcover in woods,
8525 how to take them, 854.

Bee-hread defcribed, 5 1 7.

Bee-houfe, (fee alfo Apiary) necefTary, 83 ;
which improper, 86 ; a proper one for
four Stocks, 95 J for collateral, 104; to
be often brufhed and cleaned, 681.

Borage, the mofl excellent Bee-flower, 522 j
its management, 523.

Boxes, a houie neceflTary for, 95 ; for col-
lateral, 104 J collateral, to make, 120;.
flory, how to be made, 110; the tops,
III; with three large glafs windows,
1 1 5 j a bottom frame for, i 24 ; grooves at
bottom, 125; a bar with faws, 126; to place
■ ' in

INDEX. 357

in a parlour, 13c;; not adapted to general
life, 159; remarks upon, 161 3 why
Bees rclad:antly afcend into an upper,
167; collateral, remarks thereon, 169 j
and on thofe placed before each other,
173 ; not fo eligible as (lory, 170 ; Wild^
rnan's not convenient, 182, iS-^; the
Author's more uiefiil, 195 ; compariion of
cxpence, 198; price of Wildman't, 2023
u fef ul as ftandards, 50^, 619 i with large
windows to manage in winter, 732 ; fome
feafons will not afford an additional, 530.
Breedingt time of beginning, 222 ; the gra-
dation of, 237 ; not to be reftrained,

717;
Bnmjione, the fume of, remark thereon, 409.

Broodi how produced, 32; not confined to

the center, 39, 172; too copious, 40;

often in hives when taken, 186, 103;

in upper hives, 472; to prevent, 473.;

to preferye, 422, 423, 588, 589, 595 ;

cold preventive of, 725.
Bfoorn, favourable to Bees, 507.
BuildingSy to diflodge Bees therein, 330,
Burning of Bees^ fee Suffocation.
Butler^ his ftandard of fwarming-time, 2355

his Princefles call, 255 ; and could Itu-

pify the Bees, but draw no advantage

therefrom, ^52.

C.

Cafls, Butler's obfervations on their time of
fifing, 256, 258 ; to be united, 260,

3661

3^3 I N D E X.

366 i to be returned to the mother Stock,
370; in autumn to be drove, 630; how
to perform it, 366.

Catalogue of Bee-Jiowers, 512; obfervations
thereon, 514, &c.

Catchy the Queen, how to, 384.

Cats- tails Fioiversy profitable for Bees, 525;.

Cattle^ to manage VvfJien aflaulted by Bees, 60.

Ce/Is Royal, form off 29; placed in a hive
will caufe the Bees to work, 422, 585;
cafes in which they are to be returned to
the Stock, 422. '

Cleanlinefs, neceilary to prefer ve the Bees,
676, 681.

Climate^ unfavourable, theconfequence, 559,
724, &c.

Clover, white, profitable, 533.

Clujlers, cannot be made a Swarm of, 248 ;
about the hive, caufe of, 244 ; how to
manage them, 281, 283, and following;
thofe on common hives, 283, and follow-
ing J a Swarm in fcveral, 339.

Coal-a/ljes, how advantageous to Bees, 725.

Cold, [fee 2i\{o Froji J what degree favourable
or deftrudlive to Bees, 703, 706, 712;
ai5livity enables them to bear much, 707 ;
mutual heat of a large number falutary,
709 ; the greater the number the lefs
the danger, 710; torpid, what ' de-
gree renders them fo, ys7' 7^4 > ^"^ ^o^"
lowing; befl: judges of the degree that fuits
them, 730 ; tokens of its being too
■fevere, 746 ; will come out to feed when
more than moderate, 768.

Cohuring cf Bees, to diilinguiili them, 853 ;

Collateral

INDEX. 359

Collateral Boxesy remarks on, 169; to join,
485; the door-ways to manage, 487;
not (o ufeful as the llory boxes, 8^1.

Colony, a note on the propriety of the ap-
pellation, 547.

Combsy peculiar for Drones, 34; empty vir-
gin, to be referved, 460, 630, ferve as
a decoy, 490 -, fet with honey the Bees
will empty, 492 , when too hot in the
hive, how to cool, ^oi ; of honey hung
in a hive, remarkable inlUnce of, 740;
how to take them out of a hive, y'Si ; to
extrad: the honey from, 780, and follow-
ing; the wax, 802, and following ; ihould
be foon melted to prevent the moths eat-
ing them, b^o, 825; difcriminating ob-
fervations on, 808.

Commo?u, favourable to Bees, 506, and fol-
lowing.

Comparifon, (fee alfo Superiority J q>^ coWxitxA
and fcory boxes, in preferving the Qiieen,
165, 166; of the Author's, with thofe
and other prior conftrudtions, 174; of
the expence of the Author's with Wild-
man's, 198; of the advantages of the
double method, 247, 556 ; in the taking
the combs, 78 1 ; in refpedl of virgin
honey, 831 ; of obtaining more wax and
finer honey, 622 ; with the collateral, 831.

Cottagers, the advantages ihcy might reap
from Bees, 564.

Cots for Bcesy iniproper and inconvenient, 86.

Covers for hives, pans the beft, 156.

Cultivation, peculiar for Bees, doubtful, ^-^j.

D. Bav-

3^0 I N P E X.

i

t».

j)ay-timey improper for fepairation of hIveS/
6ii.

Decoys, to allure Bees to work upward, 493,
496.

Defiroying of Bees, (fee alfo Suffocation) the
abfurdity and cruelty of, 428 ; people
obftinate therein, 641.

Dijeajcs, (fee alfo Purgings) of Bees, 741,
and I o! lowing, how occalioned.

Dijlrefs of Bees, token o^, JJ^.

Divided Swarms, caufe and confequdncCj-
291, 292.

Doubling of hives, what, 467 ; when ne-
ceirary, 467; laft year's Swarms beft for,
471 j no method will always prevent
brood in both, 472 ; upper hives i(^t
over, the bell: preventative, 473, 492 ;
when, and when mt improper, 475, and
following; not in the day-tmie, 478; the
evening, 479; hoWj 480, 484; how to
manage the door-ways, 485; of colla-
teral, 487 ; when a hive is too fmall,
494; of Stocks in common hives, 496;-
to know wJien B-ses have begun in ari
additional, ^01 ; ihe advantages of doub-
ling, 625.
Door-waySy in doubling, to manage, 485,
487, 4Q3, 497; m autumn, O33 ; after
reniov.ils, to be difguited, 778.
Dfioing of Bees, an antitnt pracftlce, 362 i
but not found fucccfbiul, 404; the gene-
ral method of, :;72, and folluvvHig i from

u com--

INDEX. ^6t

a common hive by means of one of the
Author's hives, 382; to captivate the
Queen, 384; to make an artificial with
my hives, 388 ; very dangerous and diffi-
cult on Wildman's plan, 405; Stocks
feldom thrive after it, 406, 411; too pre-
carious, uncertain, and requiring too much
time, 407; not anfwerable to the intention,
40S ; not fo eligible as flupefaiflion, 469,
6135 nearly as expenfive as watching,
412; infufficient in refpedt of natural
Swarms, 413; ufeful for uniting, or in
feparation of hives, 4145 cautions to
perfons who attempt driving, 415; royal
cells and brood, how to be difpofed of,
423 i Bees made tartie and tradtable there-
by, 424, 427 ; fome danger in the firjfl
movement, 427 ; of the Sees from hive«,
when feparated, 607 ; of old Stocks, when
necefTary, 621.
jDrones, defcribed, 37 ; rtot necefHify in hatch-
ing, 38; their firfl appearance, 2-^7 ^
when numerous indicate a Swarm ready^
237; early, fometimes killed, 238; when
n^t to be dellroyedj 222 ; fometimes tcH>
numerous, 418, 580; how the prof-
perity of the Stock depends on them,
^yS ; to replenilh a Stock with, 579;
when, and how to dcilroy, 583; perni-
cious in autumn, 617.
Drowned Bees, to recover, 782.

B h E. Early

36a INDEX.

Early Swarms y remarks on, 23 3, and following".

Eggs, how many in the ovarium of a Queen,
24 j a common Bee Qgg cannot produce
a toyal Bee, 26 -, royal, where depofited,
295 procefs of hatching, 33; how long
in hatching, •^3.

Eketng of hives, when necefTary, 499.

Elder joints, make the befl troughs to feed
with, 756.

Enemies of the Bees, a variety defcribed, 64S,
and following.

Excefs of food, fatal to Bees, 744, and fol-
lowing.

Excrement of the Bees, falling on each other
deftroys them, 714, 744.

Exercife, enables Bees to bear a great degree
of cold, 707.

Expence, a comparifon of, in the Author's
mode and Wildman's, 201, 202.

Experiment^ relating to filling upper hives,
492.

F.

Farina, when not carried in, a token of the
Queen's death, 499 ; how long gathered,
515; what it is, 516; is not wax, 516;
its ufe, 517; is not bee-bread, 517;
woods afford plenty, 534; remarks on
it as food for Bees, 7393 will not cure
lick Bees, 645.^ ' - . .

Farmers, all {hould keep Bees, 563.

Feeders, how, and of what made, 756, and
following^; where to be placed, 762.

Feedifig

INDEX.- 363

Feeding,^ when more expenfive than profit-
able, 714; in fpfing, 725 j fometimes
neceffary, 735; when fatal if neglected,
733, 752; improper matter for, 738;
honey in quantity not fuccefsful, 740;
Reaumur's experiment with honey only,
442 5 Bees will feed to excefs, 741, and
following; ale mixed with fugar or honey,
beft for the purpofe, 748, and following;
inftances of recovering Bees nearly dead,
751; in plates not eligiblci 754; oor
combs, 754 ; nor Wildman's box, 7555
kexes preferable to all, 756 ; how much
futHcient for a Stock, j^^ ;, when ne-
celiary, 760 ; publicy 760 ; how perform-
ed, 760 ; fufficient for twelve Stocks one
day, 762 ; what quantity fuflaincd twelve
poor Stocks through the winter and
fpring, 763 ; expence of, 764; to judge
if wanted in the fpring, 765 ; to pre-.
vent neighbouring Bees from participat-
ing, 766; when tlangerous, 768 ; when
not, 702 ; when advantageous, tliough
the Bees are rich, 769 ; when to ccafe,
771 ; tokens of the Bees being in want
of, 746, 772, and following.

Feeding-tr ought public^ 760.

Fermentation, ufeful obfervations thereon,
848, and following.

Fightingy (fee alfo Battles) to prevent in
uniting, 350.

Floors, how to be made, 90 ; loofe, the

advantage of, 480; at times to be gleaned,

B b 2 676 J

364 INDEX.

676 ; how to manage to preferve Bees In
winter, 727.

Flowers, (fee alfo PaJlurageJ the moft beau-
tiful not regarded by Bees, 509 -, minute
ones, the mbft advantageous, 509 j Bees
fometimes collect frorh noxious, 510;
catalogue of Bee-flowers, 5 1 1 ; obfeR-r
vations thereon, 514, and following; al-
teration by climate, 529; by difference
of feafons, 529 ^ the perfeftion of honey
dependant thereon, 827, and following.

PramCy a bottom one, for boxes ufeful,
124; Wildman's inconvenient, and dan-
gerous, 179.

Froji, in fevere, to clofe the Bees up, 7205
common not hurtful, 720; nor fevere in
Ruffia, 723 ; moderate beneficial, 724.

Fulnefs of a Stock, to judge of, 586, 628.

Fumigation, pernicious to Stocks, 194; ufe-
ful to diflodge Bees from buildings, &c.
325, and following.

Fungus, (fee Mully-piiff, and Funk),

G,

Gardens, afford the fineft honey, 508 ; par-
ticular fpot§ recommended for Bee-flowers^

Qeneration of Bees, ^che manner of, 33.
lajjes, adapted to amufement and utility,
431 'i how to place a Swarm in a globe,
432; to fct a globe over a hive or box,
473 J to caufe a Swarm to work in di-
fiind: glaffes vyithout a hive, 43 i ^ piece?
'^""" -■ - ' '' of

INDEX. 365

of comb to be fixed therein, 434 ; in a
pyramidal form, 448 j in a hoop or circle,
449 ; afcending ranges deftrud:ive to the
Bees, 450 J requiring a great number to
perform it, 450; one range ufeful, 452;
glafTes on purpofe, 453 ; others more
proper, 453 ; how to fet on a box or
hive, 455 ; pieces of combs to be fixed
in the glafTes, 460 ; h^v, to take of?, 444,
451 ; precautions and diredions as to the
quantity of honey that may be taken by
the glafTes, 46 1 ; parts of full combs being
put herein, the Bees will eat the honey out,
461 ; not to be let on a Stock that is in-
tended to Swarm, 462 ; in fcarce fealons
glafTes cannot be fupplied, 463 ; inferior
vefTels may ferve inflead of glafTes, 462 ;
this method is Tuperior to boxes con-
trived for the purpofe, 465 ; glafTes not
fo agreeable to the Bees as hives or
boxes, 490 ; mofl eligible for drawing
the fined honey, 514.

Goofeberries, the only fruit Bees will feed
on, 540.

Green-houfe plants not of general utility, 526.

Guards generally kept by Bees againfl rob-
bing Bees, 695.

Gmipovjder, to ftupify Bees with, 409 ; and
Waips; 671.

H.

Hackclsf not fo eligible as pans to cover
Stocks, i_^6.

366 I N D E X.

Heaths y favourable to Bees, 506 "; obferva-
tions thereon, 507, 560.

J^hesy of ftraw how to place, ^j ; a hedge
, to intercept the view of, 89 -, floors, how
formed, 90; which mofl preferable, 139;
of trunks of trees, i 38; of llraw, diredions
liow to for«i, I39,i fize, i^Oji dimen-
iions, 140; covers, 144, 155; wooden
tops to makci 146,. and following ; with
a hoop, 1501; with panes of glafs, 152;
a meaner fort, 153; pans beft to lay over,
1561. Bees reludtant in afcending into an
upper, 167; large improper, 162; fmall
inconvenient, 163, 711; injudicious open-
ings in the top, 1655 tops with circular
boles, obfervations thereon, 187; the
difadvantages of Wildman's, 1895 fupe-.
riority of the Author's, 195; comparifon
of expence, 198 ; fplceting of, 2765
empty, fet to decoy a Swarm, 261; dif-
ferent fizes to be in readinefs, 269, 273 j
how to prepare, 274, and following ,
what to do when the Bees are not con-r
tented therein, 273, 2745 open top'd,
the covers to be put on before fwarming,
299 ; open, the advantage of for Swarms,
341 ; for uniting, 3695 for artificial
fwarming, 388, 398; for prefervatioa
without burning, 402 -, for the purpoks
of raifmg, 493, 495 ; common, to fave
the Bees of, 402,. 610 j to place glalTes
over, 455 ; the manner of the Bees build-
ing, 500 ; flraw, to look into, 501 ; fome
fcaibns will not afiord an additional, 530;

tQ

INDEX.' 367

to judge of their fullneis, 586; rules for
taking, 587 ; to know in which a Queen
is, 589; modes of reparation, 591, and
following; of under hives, 609; the Bees
not to be taken into a dwelling-^houfe,
596 j the difadvantages of common hives,
616; when to take common hives, 617,
and following; to judge of the weight,
628 ; of virgin combs, to preferve, 630 ;
* thin of Bees in autumn, 634; how to
manage thofe that have loft their Queen,
636, and following; the floors and edges
at times to be cleaned, 676, 681 ; too
fmall or too large prejudicial in the
winter, 711.

Hiving of Bees, a fuitable defence for, 288;
precautions in doing it, 288 ; Bees are pa-
tient at the time and maybe handled, 289 j
not to be irritated, 290; why fomeSwarms
are divided, 291 ; low trees proper for
accommodating Swarms, 305 ; proper
apparatus for, 307 ; fhould be hived di-
rectly, 3 06 ; how to hive when on a
bough, 282, and following ; [iee HivesJ
Suarniy Swarms.

Hollow places, to diilodge Bees therefrom,
327, and following.

Hollow-trees, may form good hives, 134 j
how to diilodge Bees from, 324, and fol-
lowing.

Honey, Wildman's method of taking objeded
to, 1 86 ; taken by the Bees of one hive and
carried to another, 499 ; gathered from
heatiis and commons, very ordinary, 507 ;

from

368 I N D E X.v

from fome plants noxious, 510 ; on what
its goodnefs depends, 514; fome feafong
afford but a fmall quantity, 529 j gather-
ing when plentiful the Bees rejoice there-
in, 5413 eftimate of the increafe of, by
Rufden,545; byThorly, 549 ; by Warder,
550 ; by the Author, 553 j harveft,- failure
of, 559 J much greater quantities might
be coliedled, 563 j produced from in-
fe(3:s excrement, 574 ; to take it in the
Greek method, 6145 harvefl, not to be
neglected, 616 ; common hives lofe that
advantage, 616 ; gathering, the time of
its failure, 617, and following ; how to
know, 617 i what quantity a Stock ftiould
be flored with, 627, and following ; li-
quid in a hive, though jufl after a fevere
froft, 622 ; remarks on it as food for Bees,
738, and following j ale mixed with it
improves it to feed with, 747 ; granulated
improper, 748 ; in plates, inconvenient,
754 ; how it may be debafed by the Bees,
770 ; how to extra<5t from the combs,
780 J how to take the combs out, 781 ;
to fort, 783 5 to drain out, 786 ; prefling-
a bad method, 789 ; to be drained fe-
verally, 784, 790 ; what the caufe of its
perfection, 827 ; influenced by the wea-
ther and quality of the flowers, 827 ;
bad quality of heath honey accounted for,
828 ; bad from old Stocks, and why, 829;
true virgin difcriminated, 830 ; the fupe-
riority of the flory method to obtain it,
831; may be true virgin and yet bad,

INDEX. 369

t^2 ; a good price Hiould not be grudged
foe, fine, 833 ; foreign, remarks thereon,
8^4 j England may produce as fine, ^351
grows fcedy or grainy, 836; ferments if
kept warju, 836 ; characterillical qualities
of„ S^y i cliritication of, 838; to difcover
if genuine, 839 i proper vefTeis to keep
it in, 341; medicinal qualities of, 842;
wines made therewith, 845.

Honcy-dewsy woods profitable for, ^34, 573 ;
the nature of, 567, 569 ; the plants that
fupply it, 568 ; time of day, 568 ; fe«ifor\
when found, 570 ; Butler's remark on a
failure of, 571 ; Bees very eager to fetch
it, 572 ; aifcrd plenty of honey, 573.

Hornets, deftroyers of Bees, 654; their nefts,
how to deftroy, 673.

Houfe for Bees, (fee alfo Apiary J necefTary for
boxes, 83; which kind improper, 86;
how to build, 96; for collateral boxes, 104.

Houfest or rooms. Bees flying into, with la-
menting notes, a token of famine, and
fetling therein, to manage, 327, 330.

Hunger, makes Bees tame, 776.

I.

Idknefs, (fee haying out) to prevent, 23 1,

and following, 474.
Ice-houfes, remaiks on placing Bees therein,

712.
ImfroverSi of the management of Bees, i_j8,
C c Increajf

370 INDEX,

Increafe (fee alfo Swarms) of Bees, obfer-
vations thereon, 222, and following.

Inlargementy Bees fhould never want for, 615.

InfeB excrement^ honey from. 574.

Infpedlioriy by means of the Author's hive,
197, 447, 732 j the Queen very feldoin
feen, 182.

Injiinci, refledions thereon from a remark-
able circumflance, 740.

Invejiigatiorii of the number of Stocks that
may be kept, 543, and following.

yoiningSi to clofe, 482.

Jrritatedy Bees not to be, 290, 321, when
ufeful, 691.

K.

K^xeSi or jfoinis of Elder, thebefl inftruments
to feed with, 756.

L.

Labafs defcrlption of a man who caufed
Swarms of Bees to fettle on him, 349.

haying- time, the Qyeen's, 32.

Lemon ^Ihyme^ an excellent Bee- flower, pleaf-^
ing and profitable, 520, and following.

Lethargic Jiate» falutary to Bees, 704.

Laying-out J detrimental, 244, 247 ; caufe of,
244, 246 j and cannot be made a Swarm
of, 248 'y railing, to prevent no ways pre-
judicial, 249 ', how far permilTible, 28 1 ;
to fet them to work, 2S2 ; to manage
thofe of common hives, 283 j to en^
rich a weak Stock with, 287 ; after fe-
paration, to manage, 610.

Lifts, (fee EkeingsJ

Jjover

INDEX. 371

Lover of Bee Si obfervations on a book entitled,
' 488, and following; his arrangement of
Boxes not new, 490.

M.

Management of Bees, remarks on that of*
prior authors, 161, and following; com-
parifon of good and bad, 504.

Mead, how to make, 846 ; iifeful obfer-
vations thereon, 848.

Meafure of a Swarm of Bees, 625, and fol-
lowing.

Medicinal qualities of Honey, 842, and fol*
lowing.

Mice, field, an enemy to Bees, 651.

Mignonette, a good bee-flower, 524.

Mortality of Bees, in winter and fpring in-
vefligated, 703, and following ; ice houfes
will not prevent, 712; nor hurrying in
earth or fand, 713 j nor hy fhutting hives
up in a clofe dark place, ji6 ; experi-
ments thereon, 720, and following ; fe-
verc frofl does not kill Bees in Ruffia, 723 j
to preferve from, 726 ; fnow fatal to
Bees, 730; honey nor farina will pre-
ferve from, 739 j when found dead on
the floors, caufe of, 746 ; bad fiibftances
for feeding, 750 ; preferv^d by feeding,
751, and following; figns of approach-
ing, 771.; why io prevalent in fpring,
776.

C c 2 Mot/j,

37t I N D E X.

Motht a great enemy to Bees, 675.
MtilJy puffii excellent to ftupify Bees, 390*
Mufic, the Bees not aft'i&ded by, 293.

N.
'Kuptial royal, a chance of feeing, 43 1.

O.

Odottrs off'enfive. Bees not dirgufted with, 43.

Offeiifive tiAngs to Bees, t^'j.

Openings, injudicious ones in hive tops, 164J
method of infpcdion through, 197; the
befl: form of, 195; advantages of, 274,
492, and following.

Operationsy a fcledion of the eafieft and beft,
viz, to unite Swarms or Cafts, by means
of the Author's hives, 369, 370; of
driving, 372, 373 ; to unite Stocks that
are in co^nmon hives, by means of his
conftructcd ones, 382 s to catch the
Queen of a Stock, 384; of acquiring an
artificial Swarm by driving, 388 j by
ftupefadion, 389, and following; of doing
it where common hives alone are ufed,
395 ; a much preferable way by the
Author's hives, 'without force, and with
littl-e trouble, 398 ; an eafy mode of
Javing the Bees of common hives without
burning or fuffocation, 402 ; the moll:
ufeful manner of conducing glaffes, 453,
and following i Stocks to raife, 480; to-
double, 484 ; common hives, to double,

497'

INDEX. 373

497 ' ^^ know in which double hive or
box a Queen is, 589 j to feparate with-
out any peculiar inilruments, 605, and
following; tl^ managenient of a hive
floor to preferve weak Stocks in winter,
727 ; with Bees, always to be leifurelj
done, 483.
Ovarium of a Queen Bee, 24.

P.

■Pans the befl: covers for hives, 156.

Pajlurage, (fee alfo Flowers) the profits in
proportion to the plenty of, 504, 505 ;
heaths, woods, and commons afford
plenty of, 507, 534, 560 ; catalogue
of the flowers that form it, 482;
the more plentiful and near the fooner
the hives are filled, 534; not above
half a mile in extent from the Apiary,
535 ; removal of Stocks to pafture, a fo-
reign pravftice, 536 -, cultivation on pur-
pofe, doubtful, 537; the produce often
confumed as fall as collected, 559 ;
White's remarks on, 560 ; the Author's
560, 561 J number of Stocks muft be
proportioned to the quantity of, 560,

sts, 566. -J-JJ.
Penjhingy (fee alfo Mortality J of Stocks to

prevent, ^jj.
Plates of tin, to feparate with, 592 ; of iron

or brnfs not fuirable, 598.
Ponds, ufcful to Bees, 542.

Poor

374 INDEX.

Poor Stocks, how to avoid having, 777.

Poverty f the caufe of robbing, 682 ^ arife-
ing from unfavourable feafons, 683 j howr
relieved, 733; figns of, 771, and fol-
lowing.

Poultry f not fo beneficial to cottagers as Bees,

563- .
P refer vation of Pees, feveral methods that

have been propofed proved fallacious,
712, and following; the Author's me-
thod, 721, and following; of weak Stocks
uncertain, 733.

Princejfes, no Swarm can he formed without,-
232; feveral often rife with one Swarm,
258 ; fupernumerary ones killed, 345 ;
advantage in fupplying a queenlefs Stock
with, 638.

Profit depends much on the pafturage, 504,
z^6^ ', feveral eftimates of, 543, and fol-
lowing; to cottagers, 564; always more
than the expence and trouble, 565 j li-
mited until a proper number of Stocks
are acquired, 631.

Propolis, the Bees flop all crievlces with, 45.

Punk, (fee alfo mu I ly puff ) vn.QntioTLt6.hy But-
ler as a flupifier, 352 ; improved by Thor-
ley, 352 ; defcription of, 389 ', how to
ufe, 392.

Piircbafing, rule: and cautions to be obferved
therein, 207, and following.

Purglngs of Bees, from what caufe, 740,
and following.

INDEX. 38s

^leen, the only mother of a Swarm, 3 ; the
nature of the Bees attachment to her,
3, and following ; 398, they peri fh with-
out her, 5 ; her perlbn delineated, 6 ; her
fting,7; her fecundity, 8; the quantity of
eggs contained in her body at one time, 9,
10; greatell: feafon of laying, ii; impreg-
nated months before (he lays, 12; the
agency of the Drones difputed, 13;
Reaumur's difcovery of her amours, i^;
very rare to be feen, 19, 182; D. Wild-
man's opinion of, 175 refuted, 19; her
ovarium, 24; notion of a common o."^^
producing a royal Bee, 26; a young
one fecundated in four days, 30; the
duration of her laying time, 32 ; the
procefs of generation, 33 ; length of life,
35 ; dying of age before a young one is
born, 35, 240; her life endangered by
fome hives, 165; how obviated, 1663
pf a Swarm falkn to the ground, 292 ; the
catching of, unknown to the antients,
348; Labat's account of, 349; Swam-
merdam's manner of doing it, 3^0;
Wheeler's defcription from a priell, 351 ;
Warder's method of catching, 353, 369^
T. Wildman's firft method of doing it,
355 J the fallacy of, and danger, 357,
and following j Bees will famifli rather
than leave their Queen, 356, 424; not
always, 607 \ not neceflary to kill in
uniting, 370 ; Wildman's fecond method,
376,- and following ; the Author's pro-
cefs, 37<?), and following ) endangered

by

376 INDEX.

by driving, 405, 411 ; takes the air,
386; caught by flupefai5lion, 389, and
following ; more eligible than driving,
409 ; how to diftingui(h hcr^ 416; often
eludes the fearch, 416; makes excur-
fions, 4I7> and following ^ a royal cell
will induce the Bees tp work, 422; to
obtain a fpare one, 422 ; method to view
a royal nuptial, 423 ; a toj^en of her
death, 499, 772; depoiists eggs in an up-
per hive, ^%j, 588; Bees an fame oc-
qafions defert her, 607 j may be killed
; in feparating hives, 613; of a Sxock dying,
636 5 how kn0;wn, 636, and follow-
ing;, the Bees defert their hive there-
on, 636, and following; but not always,
639 ; as do Swarms, 640 ; in greatell
danger, when attacked by robbers, 685 ;
when killed, how to manage the hive,
692.

R.

Rai/ingf (fee 2\(o Doubling) what it means, 467;
when a Stock, 281 ; method of, 480 ;
opinion of M. Vicat, and A Lover of Bees ,
refuted, 488, and following; not always
in a condition for, 49 1 ; experiments re-
lating thereto, 492, and following ; by
ekeings, 499.

'Reaiimury difcoverer of the Queen's amours,

15; his account of her ovarium, 24; im-

merged Bees to obtain the Queen, 352 ;

his experiment of feeding Bees with

honey

INDEX. Ill

honey onlyy 742 ; his prefcription for lick
Bees ineffedlual, 745.
Recovery of Bees that feemed dead, 731,

75^'
Remarks upon prior conftrudted boxes, 161,

and following.

Remedies againft the fling of a Bee, 59, and
following.

Removal of Stocks, beft method of, 218, and
following.

Refting or Alighting-Boards, the form of, 92.

Robbing, Bees addicfled to, 682 ; the caufe,
682, 683 ; the manner, 684, and follow-
ing j the confequence, 685; the preven-
tion, and means of peace> 688 1 how to
know when robbers aifault a hive, 693 ;
weak Stocks feebly refift, 694 ; ftrong
Stocks keep guard, 695 j feldom rob ia
their native Apiary, 697; time of, 698,
and following ; in what years moll: dan-
gerous, 698, 699.

Room, (fee Inlargemenfj,

Rootnsi, Swarms Icttling therein, 440.

Rofemary, a fine Bee flower, 519.

Rufdens eliimate of the increafe of honey,
545 ; his prefcription for liclc Bees of no
uie, 745.

s.

Salt not agreeable to Bees, 745.

D d Safe-guard

Safe- guard agalnfl Bees, how made, j^y » ^^f
the face, 76.

Saws, ufed in reparation, 126,592, 598.

Sea, Bees luppofed to thrive bell near, 745.

Seajons unfavourable, to provide again^^ft, 647,
726.

Separation, (fee alfo taking) contrivances to
obviate the difficulty of, 123 ; by a tin
plate and faws, 592 , by faws alone, 599;
by a thin board and cloth, 600; by a
board with a wire meili, 602 ; at night,
without inftruments, 605; »ot quite com-
plete without force, 607 ; of under hives,
609; by day-light improper, 611 ; of
collateral boxes, 6123 Queen m.ay be
killed in, 6133 laying out afterwards,
how to manage, 6105 after fcparation
to know if the upper one is a Swarm,
398, 401.

Settling of a Swarm upon a perfon, how to
manage 334, and following.

Signs ofjwarmmgj 250 -, Bees often rife with-
out any, 25.3, 278, and following; of the
petition of a Princefs to fwarm, 255. j
ligns not to be depended upon, 263.

Situationy of an Apiary, 72 f comparifon of
good and bad, 504, and following ; good,
507 ; White's remarks on, 560.

SUdersy the fuperiority of, 196 ; a defcription^
of, 130 ; the ready means of fetting glafles
over hives, 197.

^lits, that receive the Aiders, to be ftoppedy
779 'y fmall, in hives, the inconvenience
. ©f, 163, 711.

Sn2dlingv

INDEX. 379

Smelling of Bees defcribed, 43.

Spleets, obfervations on, 276, and following.

Spoont when ufeful, 384.

Sprifigy inilcinces of very bad, j^i j why
many Stocks perifh then, 776.

Sprinkling, its utility, 381.

Snow fatal to Bees, 730.

Starving^ figns of, 343, and following, 746 5

Standsy for hives, how to conflrucft, %-j.

Stinging of Bees, how to behave when m
danger, 533 varioufly affed:s different
conllitutions, 58 ; methods of cure, eg,
and following ; of being fhing in the
throat, 66 ; to manage cattle when flung,
69; a defence or lafe-guard againfl, 72.

Stocks, compofed of three forts of Bees, 2 ;
defert a hive on a Queen's dying, 35;
the Bees of, perpetual by fuccefiion, 41 ;
how to be fituated, 79, 84 ; how to be
fixed, 81, and following; how to pur-
chafe, 212, and following ; preferable to
a Swarm, 216; removal of, 218; why
often die in fpring, 226, and following;
over-fwarming deltructive of, 231; many
fail in fummer for want of Queens, 240 ;
when to be raifed, 281; weak to firengtheu
in fvvarming time, 287; to unite, 377,
379 J in common hives, by means of one
of the Author's hives, 382; feldom thrive
after driving, 406 ; that will not fwarm,
412; not to be drove, 412; fhould be
dillurbed as little as pofTible, 414; to fet
a glafs globe over, 437; to double-hive,
rules for, 466, and following; raifing ex-
D cf 2 plained.

l8o INDEX.

plained, 467 ; to judge of the fulnefs of
468, 586 J to know when they want
more room, 469 -, not before, 470 -, laft
year's, proper for glalTes inflead of doub-
ling, 473 ; brood in an upper hive fome-
times in fpite of every method to prevent
it, 472 ; empty hives fet over Stocks,
the fureft method to prevent having
old ones, 472, 473, and following; a
regirter fhould be kept, 473 ; never to
let them want room, 474 ; when to raife,
475, and following ; old Stocks to be
raifed, 476, 477; not in the day-time,
478; how, 479, and following ; feveral
opinions on, 488, and following j refuted,
489, and following ; not always in a
condition for, 491 5 to double, with com-
mon hives, 496 ; the caufe of delerting of
hives, 499 ; to judge of their flate by a
ftandard, 503 ; what number to keep,
543, and following ; Warder's advice
how to increafe, 550; impoverished by
too many in a neiglibourhood, 563 ; few,
comparatively, in England, 563 ; all
farmers and cottagers fhould keep fome,
C63 J to keep a proportinate number to
the circumjacent pafturage, 566; Stocks
light from a failure of honey-dews, ^yi ^
that have fwarmed feldom afford an ad-
ditional box, 577; goodnefs of, depends
in Tome meafure on the Drones, ^yS ; to
repleni(h, with Drones, 579 j thofe befl
that foonell expel them, s^5 * to judge
y/bich to take, 586, 619, and following ^

"• ' tQ

INDEX. 381

to preferve \vithout burning, 610 ; whea
to take, 6j8j the quantity of honey ne-
cefTary for winter llore, 624, 625 ; fuch
as are combed down to the floor, 628 ;
which beft for ftore, 624, and following;
weak, feveral to be united, 629 ; how to
have a great number, 631 ; when left
double-hived in autumn, 633; weak, to
ftrengthen, 635 ; whofe Queen is dead,
how^ known, 636; luffocation of, 400,
642 ; to fave in common hives, 409 ;
how to be difpofed of when too many,
646, 647 ; to manage when aflaulted by-
robbers, 693, and following; to defend
againll: robbers, 700 ; ice-houfe prefer-
vation, remarks on, 712; of furround-
ing them with fand, 713 ; of fliutting up
in the dark, 716; the Author's method
of preferving, 720, and following ; par-
ticular inftances of Stocks dying, 721, and
following, 752 J moderate froil beneficial
to, 724; prefervation of in winter, 727;
prelervation of weak uncertain, 733 • to
fuftain weak and poor ones, 736, and fol-
lowing ; when dead on the floor, a fi»n
of famine or extreme cold, 746 ; inflru-
ments to feed with, 756, 760 ^ the beft
material to feed with, 747 ; the times,
759, and following ; quantity, 758, and
following, 763 ; how to know when ne-
cefl!ary, 765 ; when advantageous to feed
though rich, 769 ; when to withdraw,
771 i figns of being nearly perifliing,
77^' 773 i ^vhy fo niany Stocks die in

fpring.

382 INDEX.

fpfing, 776; how to avoid having poor
ones, 'jj'j j door-ways to be difguiied if
removed to another fland, 778 j hives
too fmrJl or too large prejudicial, 71 1.

Bform, its eftecft on a Swarm, 295.

Strawberry 'Blunts recommended for Bees,

559- .
^Iraw Hives preferred to thofe made of other

materials, 136; adapted to receive glaffes,

197.
Stray Swarmsy to manage, 3^^.
Stiipefa£iio?2, Thorly's method of, '^89, and

following ', by gunpovvder, 409.
Suffo€atio?2y how to fave Bees of common

hives without it, 402, 620 j better done

by open top'd hives, 402 ; the abfurdity

of, 428 ; perfuafions againfl, 409, 644 ;

obftinately continued to be pradtfcd, 641 ;

by brimdone, 642 i. a plea for, 645 j

anfwered, 645.
Si/gar mixed with A'e, beft to feed Bees with,

747, and following; which fort heft for

that purpofe, 749.
Summery 2. remarkable cold one, and the con-

fequence, 725 ; fo remarkable a hot one

as to melt the combs, 502.
Superiority (fee alfo Comparijbn) of the Au*

thor's hives in their conlliud:ion, 195 i in

the Aiders, 196 ; for fwarming, 274, 341 ;

in uniting, 369, 382, 398 s for artificial

fwarming, 387, 388, 398 ; prefervation,

380, 402, 634; raifing, 494, 495 \ view-

ir'^g' i97» 447» 732 ; foi' the honey bar-

veft.

index:. ^8^

Veft, 6i6; taking, 192, 622 ; in refped:
of moths, 621.

Zujienancey which improper for Bees, 738 ;
which moft proper, 739, and following.

Swarm, compofed of three forts of B2es,^2,
42 ', chufe a Queen molt pregnant to lead
them, 30 ', none will rife without, 30,
3 1 J how to behave when affaulted by,
62 ; how when a Swarm attempts to
fettle on you, 67 -, how to treat cattle
when befet with, 69 ; rules in purchaf-
ing, 207, and following ; not fo advanta-
geous as a Stock, 216 ^ removal of, 218 ;
when purchafed, how to fet, 486 ; to
manage when the hives are too little,
494 'y a feparate Swarm by doubling, how
to diftinguifh, 401 ; of wild Bees, to pro-
cure, '^^J*

&uoar7nSy early in proportion to their number,
222 ; early, why often in danger, 22^ ;
befl feafons for, 228; raifmg will n"ot
always prevent, 229 .; experimental proofs,
229 ; plenty of honey-gathering will
retard, 230 ; plenty of Drones and fmall
hives will caufe early, 231 ^ over-fwarm-
ing deftructive of a Stock, 231; cannot
rife without a Queen, 232 j early not al-
ways belt, 233; v.'hen preferable, 234;
Butler's itandard of fwarming-time, 235 ;
Drones a fign of, 237 ; coniift of all the
ektfes, 243 ; figns of, 250, and follow-
ing \ the bw^A not to be depended on,
254, 253, 259 ; to be united, and v/hv,
260; before rifinij have a picvious habi-
tation

3^4 INDEX.

tation prepared, 261 5 an empty hive
fometimes will allure, 261 ; to know if
efcaped, 262 ; none but good to be kept,
264, 266 ; eftimate of the weight, num-
ber, and meafure, 264, 265; directions for
hiving, 269, and following; the young
Queen fometimes drops, 274 ; reafons why
they are often too foon or too late, 275 ;
conftant watching the only fecurity againft
lofing of, 278 ; fwarming hours, 279 j to
prevent 281; to provoke, 282; divided
in hiving, 291; after having rofe, 292;
not flaying in a hive 293 ; tinkling ufeful
293 'y ftorms terrify them, 295 i to make
them fettle, 294, and following, 298; the
means to ftop a Swarm that is riling, 300;
to prevent Swarms intermixing, 301 ; a
certain token of a Swarm's going to rife,
302 ; falfe tokens, 302 5 to prevent its
re-entering the mother Stock, 303 j will
return if without a Queen, 303 ; its appear-
ance when fettled, 304 j will fometimes
fettle of themfelvcs, 305; an enticement td
caufe them to fettle, 305; fhould be hived
foon, 306 ; how to hive them from a
bough, 309; by means of a cloth, 307,
308, 311 ; to remain 'till evening, 311 ;
when not, 311 ; bow to manage v»'hen
too large, 312; when untovvardly fettled,
303, and following: in high trees, 314;,
to dillodge and make them fettle more
conveniently, 315^ in a hedge, 317, 318 j
round tli§ body of a tree> 316, 319 ;

brushing

INDEX. 385

brufhing them off irritates, -^09, 319,

321 j when proper to remove them, 311,

322 ; feitling in a hollow place, 323 ;
hollow tree, 324; ftray, to manage 333;
fettling upon a peribn, 334; attempting
to enter another Stock, 336 ; the fight-
ing of two, 337 i fmall, to be united,
22^ ; when fettling in divers cinder;-, 339;
fighting of, from having two or more
Princelfes, 340 ; but not always diredlv,
340 ; confequence of bad weather after,
343 ; to unite, 366 i artificial. Wild-
man's method, 25S* 37-' the Author's
384, 387, and following; by iVjpe-
facflion, 389, 409; an eafy way with
common hives, 395 ; befi: by open top
hives, 398; artificial, reafons again tl, 410,
and following; to fix to a particular part,
424, and following ; to diflodge from a
perfon, 425 ; to place in a globe, 434; to
caufe to work in'glafi^es without a hive,438j
quit their hive on lofing the Queen, 640.

T.

Taking of Hives, difadvantages of Wildman's
method, 189; advantage of the Author's,
192, and following; by llupefadlion 389,
614; precautions to be obferved in, 5S6,
and following ; brood to be preferved in,
588 ; to know in which hive a Queen is,
5B7, and following; in the Greek njethod,
614; when to take common hives,
618 ; when to take a hive off, 615, 633 j
indiciiioas of the proper t me, 615, 617,
E e 633,

2^6 I N D E X.

633 ; a bad pradice in letting commof!

hives fland too long, 618; advantages of

double hives, 622; which to take, 620, and

following.
Tame, to make Bees, 424; made fo by

hunger, 776.
Temperance, neceflary to Bees, 743, 744;

conducive to long life, 746.
Thomfonh anin:iated lines on deftroying Bees,

644.
Thermometer, fome obfervations on, in rc-

fped: of Bees, 706, 721.
Thorleys opinion of the Drones, 13, 16;

method of flupefadion, 390; his account

of the increafe of honey, 549.
TinkUngy its ufe, 293.
Tin Plate, to ufe, 592, 593.
Tops to ftraw hives, to form, 146; to fix on,

149, 151, 299; an inferior fort, 153; with

circular holes objected againft, 187.
Trees, hollow, to diflodge Swarms from, 324.

V.

Vermin, feveral kinds of deilrudive to. Bees,

648, and following.
Ficai, Madam, obfervations on boxes, 174 j

remarks upon her management of Bees,

488.
Viewing oj Bees-works, beft methods of, 44.7-
Virgil unacquainted with any method of

catching the Queen, 348 ; remarks upon

his Amellus, 529.
Virgin Honey, beA means to obtain, 472, and

following.

U. Unitingr

INDEX. 2S7

U.

U?2itwgi of Cafls, 260, 366, 630, to the mo-
ther Stock, 370 ; how to perform 366 ;
in autumn, 627 j of Swarms, 366; to be
done at night, 368 j beft done- by open
hives, 369 -y of a poor Stock with a rich,
376, 381 ; of other Stocks, 379, 409 ;
of common hive Stccks to any other,
380 ; of a common hive Stock by means
of the Author's hive, 382 ; of fcveral weak
Stocks, 409, 629 ; neceflary when Stocks
are poor, 621, 733.

Upper Hives, to make Bees work in 492 5
why they will not in fome, 493.

lJ?idtr Hives, to feparate, 609.

W.

Warder y Dr. his method of catching a Queen,
353; particularized, 364; his eftimate
of proiit from Bees, 550 ; his feeding
method uniuccefsful, 753, and follov/ing.

V/atchingy for the Swarms indifpenfible, 27S ;
preferable to driving, 410.

Water, neceffary for Bees, 542; not proper to
mix for feeding, 748.

WaJ'pSy pernicious to Bees, 6^^ ; to deftroy,
657, and following.

WaXi not made from farina, ^i6i not gather-
ed from rofemary, 532 i nor ciitus labda-
num, 531 ; probably from white pop*
pies, SZ'^'f ^^ extra^it from the combs,
E e 2 802 j

388 I. N D E X.

802; by a flannel bag, 803; through
fieves, 806 ; by a prefs, 806 ; cbferva-
tlons on combs, 806 ; new procefs without
preffing, 810; by a menftruum and bag,
814; by a menllruum only, 816 ; by a
iingle operation, ijoithoiit a menftruum,
819 j to render wax mifcible with water,,
82 :; ; lofs and waile of wax, 807 ; a hive
of combs yields but little wax, 808, 826 \
combs rtiould not be kept long, 825.

Weak Stocks, perifh in the fpring, 629 ; to
be united, 629, 702 j to ftrengthen. 635 ;
none to be kept, 627 ; uncertainty of
their prefervation, 733.

Weather, its influence on the bee brood, 222 5
Swarms often rife in very indifferent, 279 5
if bad iuft after Iwarming, 343 -, its dif-
ferent effeds on bee flowers, 529 ; lud-
den tranfitions, detrimental to the in-
creafe of honey, 559 ; confcquence of
bad in fpring, 725 ; in fummer, 725 ;
the quality of honey dependant thereon,
827.

Wheeler, Sir George, his relation of a priefli's
method of catching the Queen Bee, 351.

Weight, meafure and number, of a good
Swarm of Bees, 243; of hives, to judge
of, 628.

White, Mr. remarks on his collateral boxes,
169; his obfervations on the incre.ilc of
Bees and honey, 560.

JVUd Bees, to difcover their abode, 852; \o,
^ake, 854 ; to ob:ain a Swarm from, 857.

Wildman

INDEX. 389

Wildman Thomas, Mr. remarks on his boxes,
175, and following; incompetent to the de-
fign,i79; not convenient for taking honey,
183, and following; obfervations on his
hive tops with circular holes, 187 ; com-
parifon of his hives with the Author's,
188, and following ; danger in feparat-
ing his ftraw hives, 190; his firft me-
thod of catching the Queen and Swarm-
ing Artificially, ^c^z^; the fallacy of it,
357; and danger, 359; a call upon, to
aicertain the validity, 358 ; has no fecret
influence over the Bees, 360 ; a proof of
liis command over them defired, 361 j
his driving mode not new, 362 ; his
ffccond artificial method by driving, 371 ;
,his manner of joining a poor and a rich
Stock, and taking the Queen, 377; ac-
knowledges the danger and difficulty
of catching a Queen, 405, 41 1; and
often the ruin of many Stocks, 405 ; his
precautions about boxes in winter need-
lefs, 732; his feeding box not eligible,

WUdmanDanieU Mr. his opinion of theQ^ieen,
16; refuted, 18; his experiment falla-
cious, 19, 22 ; Swammerdam and Reaa
mur againfl him, 24; allows the Queen's
refidence indifpcnfably necellary, 25 ; re-
marks on his boxes, 167.

Windows in bives, the advantage of, 500,
and following.

Wines,

390 INDEX

Wines, domeflic, bell: made with honey,

845 ; ufeful obfervations on managing,

850.
Witchcraft, the abfurdity of, ^241.
Work upwards, to caufe the Bees to, 473.
Worlidge obferves boxes had been tried,

fet one before another, 174, 490.
Woods, favourable to Bees, 506, 5345 to

find Bees in, 852 i how to take them in,

854,

X.

XenophoJis account of the principal Bee, 347.

Y.

Young Bees, how to didinguifli them from
the old, 42.

V

ERRATA.

^age 39, line 7, for of^ read or ; 1. 8, for /f^. 6, read
/^. 8, ^ ; laft I. after y7^. 8, add c^ p. 47, I. 20, after
y?^. 7 add c^c^C'i p. 48, 1. 5, for braided read br added ^
p. 60. 1. 17 for tf/z<^, read at ; ibid. 1. 4, from the bot-
tom, after difunion add. Tint i I the glue is perfectly dry -
p. 62, 1. 12, after /o Z;^ XQ^d partially fiopped up^ leaving
a free paffage to the grooves^ ctherivife^ &c. p. 64, for
fedion 187, read 157 ; p. 65, 1. 7, for Goddyrea.d Geddy^
p. Ill, 1. 6, from the bottom, for 5/of^ read Sivarm ^
p. 168, 1. 16, for rifing read re/ling -, ibid. 1. 3, from the
bottom, for in Jliders vcTidJliders in ; p. i6q, 1. 12, for'
hurt Tea.d bunt ', p. 183,!. 10, from the bottom, for
«« read wo; p. 192, laft 1. for glajfes read boards
p. 197, 1. 3, for zV adapted read was intended-^ p. 219^
I. 9, after Sallows add a*; ibid. 1. 10, from the bottom,
for Gar-den Fennel read Garden Teazel \ "p. 221, 1. 3
from the bottom, after fprouts^ add if permitted t»
f diver ; p. 229, 1. 5, for a quarter of, read /-'tf^j p. 263,
1. 19, after not add iZ?<?/,

Advertifement

*^« GENTLEMEN who do not refide
too far from London, may be furniflied
by the Author with a pair of ftraw hives,
or of boxes ^nd Aiders, of his conftrud:ion,
as ftandards for others to be made by : for
the inferior workmen, efpecially in, country
places, are often very deficient in making
them of the requifite exa6tnefs without a
pattern.

The hives, or boxes, to be paid for on de-
livery, at the Four Swans Inn^ Bifiopfgate-*
Street.

N. B. Eight or ten days previous notice
is requefled.

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