334 On the Management of Bees. 



no spirit. I therefore always endeavour to liave a swarm fill the 

 hive, when first hived, to within two or three rims at the bottom ; 

 and so necessary do I consider it to have the hive fi.ill of bees be- 

 fore they begin to work, that I add to a small swarm either an- 

 other, or a cast, and put two or three «'asts together, till a proper 

 proportion of bees is had : this is done with the greatest ease, by 

 spreading a cloth on the ground, and striking the hive which 

 contains the swarm to be added quickly and sharply'on it, when 

 the swarm will fall in a cluster on the clolh ; and then quickly 

 covering it with the hive which is to be reinforced with the ad- 

 dition, those on the cloth readily ascend, and fraternize without 

 difficulty with the others : by these means a stjoug; hive is formed, 

 well filled with bees, and they work with spirit; the hum of the 

 many round the door, seems to rouse and cheer the rest ; whereas, 

 if the hive is weak of bees, the want of vigour and spirit is visi- 

 ble. It is this circumstance which has induced me to offer that 

 observation which I before made, respecting the number of hives 

 of bees, as making that a circumstance of reward : if every east 

 is hived, you have a numerous apiary; but I never had the good 

 fortune to get an ounce-weight of honey out of a cast in July, 

 which is the usual month for such swarms : I have, therefore, 

 added them together, and often three into one hive, and they 

 have worked cheerfully. 



But the size and make of the hives is not the only matter to 

 be attended to ; the warmth arising from the thickness of the 

 straw composing them, and the sweetness of it, are also deserving 

 of much consideration. In all the hives which I have had in 

 Kent, the rolls are thin and hard, and little attention is paid to 

 the colour or sweetness of the straw; the consequence of which 

 is, that they are cold in winter: I have, therefore, procured the 

 hives which I use from Chelmsford, and Hertford, where the 

 rolls are thick and not so hard, and the shape well proportioned 

 and handsome. The shape which I prefer is low, wide, and 

 pointed at the top. Bees begin to work near the top of the hive, 

 and work downwards; and as the combs approach the bottom, 

 their labour is diminished. The board on which the hive is 

 placed should be of well seasoned elm, of the thickness at least 

 of an inch, as it will otherwise warp with the heat of the sun j 

 and when every pa;t of the bottom of the hive does not touch the 

 board, vermin, such as earwigs, snails, &c. get in ; and from the 

 moment such unwelcome guests intrude into a hive, the bees be- 

 come discontented, and no longer apply themselves to work with 

 vigour. 



The bee-house is the next object of care. I consider mine as 

 the best ornament of my garden : on an adjoining seat, most part 

 of my day is spent in contemplating the activity and busy in- 

 dustry 



