[ 329 ] 

 LII. On the Management of Bees. By Isaac Espinasse, Esq.* 



Chancery-lane, Feb. 7> 1818. 

 The cultivation of, and improvement in, the management of 

 bees being one of those subjects of rural oeconomy which the 

 Societv have thought vvoi thy of their attention, and for the en- 

 couragement of which they have offered premiums, and they 

 havinc at the same time signified that the claimant was expected 

 to suggest his observations on the subject, I am induced (though 

 engaged in very different pursuits) to offer the following Essay 

 to their consideration. It is the result of experience, and of 

 many years actual observation, not the speculation of a theorist, 

 nor a compilation from the works of other authors on the same 

 subject. 



It is presented to the Society with no view to the pecuniary 

 premium which they have offered, for did what I here submit to 

 them give me any claim, or entitle me to such mark of their ap- 

 probation, it should be restored to them, as sought for with no 

 other view than to entitle me to have the honour of ranking 

 among its members. 



Conceiving that the views of the Society are not merely spe- 

 culative, but directed to objects of practical improvement, I can- 

 not hut consider the number of publications respecting the ge- 

 neration of bees, the prolific powers of the queen bee, the for- 

 mation of their cells, and administration among themselves, as 

 theories ingenious and entertaining, but as in no wise tendjng to 

 inform those who wish to keep this valuable insect, to make it 

 most productive, or render it more generally useful. Several of 

 these publications I have read, and the accoimts in theui of the 

 different processes by glass hives, boxes, &c. the object of which 

 is to save the Ijees and take the honey, are open to these objec- 

 tions : — the dc'icriptions in them are too complicated to be easily 

 understood, and the necessary apparatus too expensive to be pur- 

 chased, but by a few; and it must be recollected, that it is not 

 from such, the supply of honey and wax necessary for our con- 

 sumption is procured ; as the number of those who indulge in 

 these entertaining pursuits is small; it is the husbandman, the 

 farmer, the gardener, and the cottager, who by small contribu- 

 tions furnish the necessary stock of wax and honej'. 



In offering, however, my observations to the Society, I feel 

 considerable difficulty, as my opinions on the subject of their pre- 

 miums are inucii at variance with theirs: they seem to consider, 

 t^at he performs a meritorious service to the public, who points 



» From the Traimwt'wns of the Society for the EnconraffcmcHt of Art», 

 Mamftwtnreii, ami Commerce, Cor 1 81 8. the Silver Ceres Medal of the S»- 

 cii-ty \va>( voted to Mr. !>. for this eomtiiuniciitioii. 



• Vol.r>5.No. 205. A/ay IS20. Dd out 



